Overview:

: The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the heart of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. It is the world's largest palace complex and covers an area of over 720,000 square meters, containing more than 8,000 rooms. The layout of the palace is in the traditional Chinese architectural style: a series of courtyards, large halls and gardens, all enclosed within imposing city walls. Visitors to the Forbidden City can see ancient artifacts, artworks, and buildings, as well as the most important and well-preserved imperial site in China. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

, the Forbidden City is the palace complex located in the center of Beijing. It is seen as a symbol of Imperial China and is the most popular tourist attraction in Beijing. It was the Chinese imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Covering an area of over 720,000 square meters, it is one of the world's largest palace complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes 980 buildings with 8,704 rooms, and is surrounded by a 10 meter high wall and a 52 meter wide moat. The Forbidden City is made up of several large, opulently decorated halls and pavilions, as well as grand courtyards and gardens. The most important structures in the complex include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Other important buildings in the complex include the Emperors' living quarters, the Imperial Garden, and the Imperial Treasury as well as many libraries, galleries, and museums. Inside the Forbidden City are some of China’s most important artifacts and national treasures, including the Jade Seal of the Emperor, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Pavilion of Everlasting Spring, and the Imperial Granary. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a palace complex located in the heart of Beijing. It served as the imperial seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912). It has a compound of more than 980 buildings and covers an area of 720,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is considered to be one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Chinese architecture. The first structure of the Forbidden City complex was built during the reign of the third Ming emperor, Yongle. It was initially built as a fortified palace for the emperor to keep out intruders. Over the following centuries, the palace underwent several renovations and additions. The Forbidden City was the official imperial residence for 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Within its walls, the emperor would live and work, handling state affairs. Members of the court were also expected to live and work in the Forbidden City, receiving orders from the emperor and offering him advice. During the Qing dynasty, the Forbidden City functioned as the social centre of the court. Visitors were not allowed to enter the Forbidden City without permission from the empress or the emperor. The Forbidden City remained the political centre of China until Emperor Puyi was forced to relinquish power in 1912. Today, the Forbidden City is one of Beijing’s most popular tourist destinations. It has been open to the public since 1925 and is now managed by the Palace Museum. The museum is home to a large collection of ancient artefacts and artwork from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including jade sculptures, painted screens, and calligraphy. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. It took 14 years and more than a million workers to construct the Forbidden City, beginning in 1406. 2. The Forbidden City is the world’s largest palace complex, with more than 980 buildings and 8,706 bays of rooms. 3. The Forbidden City stands on 180 acres and is surrounded by a 10-meter-high (33 feet) wall with a perimeter of 3,400 meters (11,155 feet). 4. It is believed to contain a total of 9,999 and a half rooms, even though many are no longer standing. 5. It served as the political and ritual center of 24 emperors from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and 10 emperors from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). 6. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Forbidden City was declared a museum in 1925. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 7. It is estimated that over 14 million people visit the Forbidden City each year. 8. At its peak, the Forbidden City had its own water supply and sewage system. 9. All of the timber beams and columns contained dragon carvings, regarded as lucky. 10. The Forbidden City is located in the very center of Beijing, and is made up of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 rooms. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era