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Moat of the Forbidden City (Tongzihe)

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Moat of the Forbidden City, also known as Tongzihe, was built in the 18th year of the reign of emperor Yongle in 1420. It encircles the Forbidden City, 20m (22yd) away from the palace wall, with the total length of 3,530m (3,830 yd), width of 52m (57 yd) and depth of 4.1m (4.5 yd). The vast majority of the moat is open to the air. When passing through the four gates of the Forbidden City, it flows underground. It is mainly used for military defense, fire prevention and drainage of rain water for the Forbidden City.
 

A 600-Year-Old Moat Built in Two Time Periods

Tongzihe has a history of 600 years, initially built 1420 together with the Forbidden City. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Tongzihe only surrounded the Forbidden City on the east, north and west sides, which were respectively called Donghuamen Tongzihe, Xuanwumen Tongzihe and Xihuamen Tongzihe.

 
Moat around Forbidden City
Moat around imperial city
Since it is a defensive moat, it should encircle the whole Forbidden City, instead of leaving the south side empty. In 1760 during the resign of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the emperor ordered the workers to build the south moat to the south of Meridian Gate (Wumen), named Wumen Tongzihe. At this point, the moat of the Forbidden City became what it is today.

In 1999, a project to clean the Forbidden City moat was carried out. Also, the revetment was renovated, and the river bottom was all paved with bricks.
 

River Way of the Moat of the Forbidden City

The water of Tongzihe originates from Yuquan Mountain in the west suburb of Beijing. According to the five elements theory of ancient China, west belongs to the metal/gold, so the moat is also called Golden Water River. Starting from Yuquan Mountain, it flows eastward into Jishuitan, then Beihai, and then into the moat to the northwest corner of the Forbidden City. After, it keeps flowing along the wall of the Forbidden City until reaching the southeast corner and ends in Changpu River.

One thing needs to be mentioned is that some of the water flows into the Forbidden City from the northwest corner of the palace wall and out from the southeast corner, which forms the Inner Golden Water River inside the royal palace. At this point of meaning, the moat is also called Outer Golden Water River.
 

What was the Forbidden City moat used for?

Defend the Forbidden City from Attack

Tongzihe served as the first defense line of the Forbidden City, preventing the enemy from crossing the river to attack the palace. The moat surrounds the Forbidden City, with a width of 52 meters and a depth of 4.1 meters, so it’s not easy to get over it.
 

Put out the Fire

Most of the buildings in the Forbidden City are made of wood, which catches fire easily. The moat can provide enough water for fire protection at a very short time.
 

Discharge Rain Water

The whole Forbidden City is high in the north and low in the south. The advantage of this design is that on heavy rainy day, the water in the palace can flow from high to low, then through the Inner Golden Water River into the moat and finally discharge out of the palace.
 

Best Sites to View the Moat of the Forbidden City

The Moat around Corner Tower
Moat of Forbidden City

1. To the northeast and northwest of the Forbidden City, visitors can stand on the lawn and admire the moat reflecting the corner towers. They are also good sites for taking photos.

2. The passageway between the wall of Shenwumen - Wumen and Tongzihe. It takes about 15 minutes to finish it on foot. Planted with green trees and different flowers, you can have a leisurely walk along it while enjoying the rippling moat.

3. The Outer Golden Water River Bridge in front of Tian 'anmen Tower is also a good place to see the moat.

 

 Further Reading:
How to visit the Forbidden City
Amazing Drainage System of the Forbidden City
- Last updated on Aug. 16, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Moat of the Forbidden City (Tongzihe)
Asked by Julie Nelson from UNITED STATES | Dec. 27, 2017 09:19Reply
Does the Moat of Forbidden City have a name?
Answers (2)
Answered by Laura Goode from USA | Dec. 27, 2017 11:22
00Reply


Yes, the name of the moat is Tongzi.
Answered by Joanne from USA | Dec. 27, 2017 11:27
00Reply


It is called the Tongzi River, a moat that surrounds the Forbidden Palace.
Asked by lisa from USA | Oct. 06, 2015 12:49Reply
Does the moat go under the bridge at the Meridian gate of Forbidden City?
Or does it stop and pick up on the other sid
Answers (1)
Answered by Cathie | Oct. 06, 2015 20:03
11Reply


The moat goes under the bridge (Jinshui or Golden River Bridge) at the Meridian gate. Actually, it circles the anceint royal palace.
Asked by larry from IRAQ | Oct. 14, 2012 23:57Reply
why was the forbidden city built
Answers (1)
Answered by Jack | Oct. 15, 2012 01:01
21Reply


It was built for the living of imperial members.
Asked by Mr.bob from BRAZIL | Nov. 29, 2010 19:07Reply
is the imperial palace the same as the forbiden city?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mr.Qi from CHINA | Nov. 30, 2010 00:35
41Reply


Yes, it is. In fact, the Palace Museum is Palace City and its surrounding is the Imperial City. Those two parts makes the whole imperial palace. Some parts of the palces first built in Ming Dynasty didn't exist in later Qing Dynasty.
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