1. Wood Most of the building materials are made from a rare, decay-resistant wood. The wood used is known in English as Nanmu Wood because it is dense, highly resistant to rot, and has beautiful grain. However, Nanmu wood only grows in areas located about 2000 km from Beijing. In ancient times, people took advantage of the annual flood season to transport the wood to the construction site.

 

2. White Marble In the Forbidden City, white marble is used extensively and is a very common material for carving, engraving, as well as for making floor tiles and building the staircases of palaces and halls.

 

3. Decorative Items Made of Gold and Bronze. Decorative bronze items and statues, such as cranes, turtles, and water cauldrons, are commonly found throughout the Forbidden City, especially in the major palaces of both the Inner and Outer Courts, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.