Author Description

"'Daily Life in the Forbidden City' endeavours to provide a full yet concise account of life within and beyond the palace walls, ranging from the grandiose to the trivial. To this end it draws together evidence supplied by cultural treasures, the vast repository of items in daily use and the layout and interiors of the palace buildings. There are examples of the 'travelling palaces' outside the Forbidden City--in the resorts around Beijing, in Rehe, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou and Hangshou--ceremonies, government and military affairs, imperial tours of inspection and hunting trips, together with information about living conditions, dress leisure."--front cover