Moat in the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is surrounded with a 52-meter-wide and 6-meter-deep moat, whose steep banks are paved with slabs. The water originated from the Hill of Jade Spring in the western suburbs of Beijing, passed the Summer Palace, Back Lake, the west gate of Prospect Hill, and finally merged into the moat. According to the Qing documents, the moat was planted with lotus from the Kangxi reign (1662-1722). The lotus seeds and fruits would be consumed in the Palace as well as sold in the markets. After the Jiaqing reign (1796-1820), the moat was rented to lotus growers. These facts show that even the imperial family was meticulous in the planning of revenue and expenditure.

Relevant attractions in the Forbidden City

Meridian Gate: the Gate with Five Phoenixes
Gate of Spiritual Valor
Gate of Eastern Flower
Gate of Western Flower
City Wall and Corner Tower
Moat
Golden Water River