Ancient plumbing protects Forbidden City from Beijing floods

Officials from Beijing's Forbidden City have said an ancient drainage system protected it during recent heavy rains and intense flooding.
Bad weather has killed 37 people in the Chinese capital in the past week while at least seven others are missing.
On 20 July, much of the city was shut down by a huge storm but the palace's official Sina Weibo said it was one of the few areas that remained open.

It even took in 30,000 visitors during the storm, it said.

China has battled serious floods throughout its history, and the designers of the Forbidden City would have been well aware of the need to build in proper defences.

The palace published a series of images on Weibo showing heavy flooding in the 600-year-old courtyards, but the drainage system in action removing the water.

State media quoted an unnamed official as saying the combination of cleverly designed sloping courtyards, stepped buildings and underground drains meant water could be carried away in 20 minutes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-36881021