The Forbidden City used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
紫禁城（故宫）是明朝和清朝的皇宫。
It is nearly 600 years old, with constructions started in 1406 and completed in 1420.
它的历史有将近600年，始建于 1406年，于 1420 年完工。
The principles of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese system of geomancy, governed the whole process.
它依据中国古代风水学而建造。
Yellow is the color of the Emperor.
黄色代表高贵的帝王皇权。
Thus almost all roofs in the Forbidden City bear yellow glazed tiles.
因此，紫禁城几乎所有的屋顶都是黄色的琉璃瓦。
There are only two exceptions.
只有两处例外。
The library at the Pavilion of Literary Profundity had black tiles because black was associated with water, and thus fire-prevention.
一处是作为藏书馆的文渊阁，屋顶为黑色，因为黑色有水的寓意，象征防火。
Similarly, the Crown Prince"s residences have green tiles because green was associated with wood, and thus growth.
另一处是皇太子的王宫，屋顶铺绿色瓦片，因为绿色会联想到树木，寓义生长。
The Imperial Garden is the last part of the Forbidden City on the central north-south axis when heading northwards, before the North Gate.
御花园是紫禁城南北中轴线上朝北走到达北门前的最后一部分。
It was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty.
始建于1417 年明朝年间。
It covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and was the private garden of the imperial family.
占地面积为12000 平方米，是皇室的私人花园。
It was the most typical imperial garden in China.
是中国最典型的皇家园林。
Imperial cuisine was served mainly to the emperors, their wives and concubines, and the royal families.
御膳是为皇帝、妃子和皇族其他成员提供的膳食。
The characteristics of the Chinese imperial cuisine are the elaborate cooking methods and the strict selection of raw materials, which are often extremely expensive, rare, or complicated in preparation.
中国御膳，烹调精细，选料考究，稀奇昂贵，配方复杂。
The most famous Chinese imperial cuisine restaurants are both located in Beijing: Fang Shan in Beihai Park and Ting Li Guan in the Summer Palace.
中国最著名的两家御膳餐馆都在北京，分别是北海公园的仿膳和颐和园的听鹂馆。
