China has been ruled by different dynasties in the past. Each of the dynasty has their palaces in different places over in China. However, the last two dynasties built their palace in Beijing, a new city which was founded during the Ming dynasty. 24 emperors from Ming and Qing dynasties lived here before the last dynasty was overthrown in 1911.
The Emperor is known as the son of god during the feudal time and they rule the country with tight reign. The commoners are not allowed to come near them and they don't mixed with the people. They are known to live a very lavish lifestyle and have many concubines. However, don't mistaken their life to be easy because the demand for a good emperor is very high. They have to know the Chinese culture, Chinese literature, knows the martial art and good at calligraphy, having all the knowledge of how to rule the country and bring prosperities. Good emperors are known to wake up before dawn and meet the magistrates (cabinet) or the government as early as 6 am. They worked till late night and only go to bed after midnight.
In the Palace Museum, they have different halls for different ceremony. There is a place where the Emperor worked, where he rest, a hall where he meet his rulers, halls that he used to entertain dignitaries and ambassadors, halls where he sleep and many more for his different aspect of his life!
The hall where he works is so huge that I can't get the whole building in a picture.
In this place is his throne where he sits and also consult his advisors and meets his magistrates.
In front of this hall is a huge square where ceremonies can be held.
However, every reign or dynasty of an emperor, the emperor's seal is the most important. With the seal, it's the power of the rule. He will put it on every decrees that he made and also there are plates that shows his power. NO one can or dare to hit on the seal nor the plate that bears the name of the emperor.
Anyone caught disrespecting the emperor can be punished, and usually death. Not just himself but the whole family have to take the punishment too.
As the emperors are known as son of god, all their belonging have the pictures of dragon. The seal also have the dragon carved on it. Everywhere you go, there are dragons everyone. This is to symbolise their position also for lucks.
However, despite the popular belief that the emperor are the son of god, they don't stay in a very grand and lavish rooms. Their bedroom is small for an emperor. This is because they belief that big rooms have more evil spirits. As such, their bedroom are small.
