Tourism GuideForbidden City (Palace Museum)
The Forbidden City, now known as the Palace Museum, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest palace complex, serving as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Key Information
Built
1406-1420
Architectural Style
Chinese Palatial
UNESCO Designation
1987
Area
720,000 square meters
Located at the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese palatial architecture. It consists of 980 buildings with over 8,700 rooms, surrounded by a wide moat and a high wall. The complex is divided into the Outer Court for ceremonial purposes and the Inner Court for the emperor's residence and daily affairs. It houses an immense collection of artifacts and treasures from the imperial collections.
Things to Do
- Explore the magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony
- Visit the Palace of Heavenly Purity in the Inner Court
- Walk along the high red walls and through the grand gates
- See the imperial gardens at the north end
- View the extensive collections in the Palace Museum exhibitions