The Mobile Toilets of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City has no fixed toilets and mainly relies on mobile commodes to solve the toilet problem. These mobile commodes are known as 'guanfang'.
Shape and Material of Guanfang
Guanfang comes in different shapes and materials to meet the usage needs of people of different statuses. The 'guanfang' used by the emperor was extremely luxurious. Its outer frame was carved and gilded, showcasing nobility and refinement. The interior featured a tin inner liner, which was not only sturdy and durable but also had a certain degree of corrosion resistance. A layer of incense ash was laid at the bottom in advance. When excrement fell, the incense ash could immediately adsorb it, thus locking in the odor and preventing unpleasant smells from spreading. After use, specialized personnel would quickly carry away the 'guanfang' for cleaning and replacement. The entire process was efficient and rigorous, leaving no unpleasant odors throughout and ensuring the cleanliness and comfort of the palace environment.
The commodes used by ordinary palace attendants were relatively much simpler. The common materials for commodes in the palace included wood, pottery, and metal. Although these commodes were not as magnificent as the 'guanfang' used by the emperor, they could meet basic toilet needs, reflecting the differences in living facilities among different classes in the palace.
Reasons for Not Building Fixed Toilets
The Forbidden City did not build fixed toilets mainly for two reasons. One was for safety considerations. As an important ancient royal architectural complex, the Forbidden City had a complex and rigorous architectural structure. It was not allowed to randomly dig tunnels underground to build fixed toilets. Random digging could potentially damage the stability of the buildings and pose a threat to the overall safety of the Forbidden City. The other reason was for hygiene. Fixed toilets were prone to producing unpleasant odors in summer, especially in the densely populated palace environment where the odors would be more pronounced, affecting the comfort of living and activities. Moreover, fixed toilets could also become sources of infection, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, using mobile commodes was a better way to maintain the hygiene of the palace environment and safeguard the health of the personnel.
