The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace, served as the residence of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, where 24 emperors lived for over 600 years. This grand palace has endured numerous major fires and intense lightning strikes but has never suffered from flooding.
The Imperial Palace, or Forbidden City, was home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. For more than 600 years, 24 emperors resided in this magnificent palace. During this time, the Forbidden City has faced countless significant fires and severe thunderstorms, yet it has never been flooded.
While many cities in China have experienced severe and even deadly flooding in recent months, the Forbidden City has maintained normal activities during these natural disasters, thanks to its 600-year-old drainage system.
Today, we will explore the secret behind the “600 years of dryness” of the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City was built under the orders of Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty. It became the imperial palace for both the Ming and Qing dynasties. Notably, there are no records of flooding occurring in the Forbidden City. This has led to a sense of embarrassment among later architectural projects in China, as they fall short of the wisdom demonstrated in its construction.
In the historical text “Ming Shenzong Shilu,” the situation following a heavy rain in Beijing was recorded: “In July of the fifth year of the Jingtai era (1454), it rained heavily in the capital, and many gates among the nine city gates collapsed.” At that time, while the city gates fell, the Forbidden City remained unaffected. Why did the Forbidden City escape the impact of such a severe storm?
According to various statistics and analyses, historians have proposed three reasons:
1. Geographical Location
Aerial view of the Forbidden City.
Constructed during the Ming dynasty, the Forbidden City features traditional architecture characterized by a “high north, low south” design to prevent flooding. Water flows from high to low, accumulating in moats that form the river surrounding the Forbidden City today. No matter how heavy the rain, the water flows smoothly into the river system.
Additionally, the paving bricks of the Forbidden City are quite special. These bricks can absorb rainwater, allowing it to quickly seep into the ground and merge with the groundwater within less than three minutes after the rain stops. This detail exemplifies the remarkable wisdom of ancient Chinese builders when constructing the imperial palace.
2. Efficient Drainage System
While leveraging the terrain for drainage is effective, it is not sufficient on its own. The survival of the Forbidden City through many floods also relies on its drainage system.
The drainage system within the Forbidden City is extremely complex, with some components visible and others cleverly concealed, making it hard to guess that they are used for drainage. Outside each hall, there are several drainage pipes sculpted in the shape of dragon heads. When it rains, the water flows out, creating the spectacular scene of “thousands of dragons spouting water.”
Specifically, the dragon heads you see in the images are the drainage pipes. Although the pipe openings are small and the water flows gently, the Forbidden City utilizes “the advantage of quantity.” If you pay attention, you will notice countless dragon heads both within the courtyard and outside the grand palaces.
Dragon head water spout.
This design not only creates a spectacular scene during the rainy season within the overall architecture of the Forbidden City but also plays a crucial role in the drainage system, helping the imperial palace withstand the ravages of storms and floods.
The Forbidden City has a complex drainage system.
The 600-year-old drainage system of the Forbidden City is still functioning well.
3. The Dedication and Wisdom of the Craftsmen
The Forbidden City was the residence of the emperor, and if the emperor was dissatisfied, it could cost them their head; thus, the builders worked diligently and cautiously.
Next, let’s discuss the design of the palaces within the Forbidden City. The raised platforms of each palace were designed to highlight their grandeur, while also preventing water accumulation. However, it remains uncertain whether the primary design intent of the craftsmen was to prevent flooding or if the majestic aesthetic was merely coincidental.
The builders of the Forbidden City put in great effort and caution.
Moreover, beneath the platforms are numerous drainage holes that direct water into trenches built in both exposed and hidden locations throughout the city. Water in these trenches flows into the Jinshui River, whose drainage system effectively manages water levels and excess runoff into the surrounding river.
Many countries around the world today utilize permeable soil in flood control measures, and the Forbidden City implemented this intelligent design 600 years ago. The builders widened the gaps between the paving bricks, allowing rainwater to seep directly into the ground.
In addition to the design, the officials in charge at the time also placed great importance on flood control, investing significant manpower and resources to monitor and keep the ditches clear. The most notable among them was Emperor Guangxu, who spent 220,000 taels of silver to clear debris from the drainage system and clean the Jinshui River.
