Book Review - In the Forbidden City

About the Book
Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.

This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely.


About the Author
Chiu Kwong-chiu is an artist, designer, and professor who explores Chinese traditional visual arts and adopts groundbreaking methods to interpret and promote Chinese art and culture. He founded the CnC Design and Cultural Studies Workshop in Hong Kong, where he provides guidance and leadership in the research, interpretation, and promotion of traditional and contemporary design and Chinese culture.

Ben Wang (translator) is a senior lecturer in humanities at China Institute, an instructor of Chinese at the United Nations, and guest lecturer at numerous prestigious academic and cultural institutions.


My Take on the Book
This was an amazingly complete book. I have never been to the Forbidden City, but this book takes you through the entire city and allows you to explore why this city is so amazing. Each section in this book shows you why each part was made, when it was made, who made it and what it means. I loved the magnifying glass in the back of the book as there was so much on each page and the illustrations were so well done with so much detail you needed the magnifying glass to blow up the pictures to see everything. You will learn so much about every part of the city and this book will definitely intrigue you and encourage you to visit this amazing place soon!


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