Deep in the heart of Beijing stands the Forbidden City, known to the Chinese as the “Purple Forbidden City.” For over 600 years, this majestic palace complex has stood as a silent witness to a history fraught with assassinations, conspiracies, and enduring mysteries. Beyond its towering walls and fortified gates, ancient legends whisper tales of ghosts and spirits that roam its corridors, inhabiting a world where sorrow and secrets never fade.
The Woman in White and the Melodies of the Night
On dark, quiet nights, visitors claim to have seen a woman dressed in a flowing white gown, sitting alone in one of the old hallways, weeping softly. No one knows who she is or why she cries, but her presence is always accompanied by an inexplicable coldness, as if a wind from a bygone era were passing right through them.
On other nights, the hauntingly beautiful sound of a flute echoes from deep within the palace. It sounds like an unknown musician from the past playing a somber melody, a detail made all the more chilling by the fact that the Forbidden City closes its doors at 5 p.m., with no one allowed to linger. Yet, the music persists, creeping quietly through the stone walls, plunging the night into a mystery that sends shivers down the spine.
The Curse of Emperor Yongle and the Blood of a New Year’s Eve
Behind these eerie tales lies a tragic legend surrounding Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, who officially opened the Forbidden City in 1421. It is said that on New Year’s Eve of that very year, the emperor committed a horrifying crime: he allegedly slaughtered more than 2,800 of his concubines after a rumor of a scandal within the palace spread. Their blood stained the city’s walls, unleashing a mysterious curse that would plague the emperor. He spent his final years consumed by despair before his death in 1424.
The calamities didn’t stop there. Within a few short years, a massive fire erupted, destroying over 250 buildings and leaving many dead. It was as if the flames had come to cleanse the place of the sins of the past.
The Ghosts of the Forbidden City and Off-Limits Areas
Legends say the spirits that once inhabited the city never left. Even today, many Chinese people believe these souls still wander the narrow corridors. Some claim to have seen the ghosts of hungry dogs roaming in the dark, while others speak of terrifying visions in the palace’s deserted areas. In Chinese culture, spirits hold a special place—they are people who passed away before living their lives to the fullest. They are treated with respect, for they are believed to be completing their existence in the form of ghosts.
This deep-seated reverence for the supernatural might explain why large parts of the Forbidden City remain strictly off-limits to visitors. Much of its vast 720,000-square-meter area is closed to the public, adding to the enigma. These forbidden sections, in particular, are shrouded in mystery, as if hiding secrets no one dares to reveal.
A World That Comes Alive After Dark
Once the gates of the Forbidden City close at 5 p.m., the truly terrifying and mysterious hours of the night begin. Those who venture near its perimeter after dark report chilling phenomena: unexplained noises and fast-moving shadows in the alleyways. They say the city truly awakens at night when the past merges with the present and legends become an undeniable reality.
The Purple Forbidden City remains more than just a historical monument reflecting China’s ancient civilization. It is a window into a world teeming with mystery and lore. Every wall tells a story, and every shadow holds a secret, waiting for someone brave enough to uncover it.
