Introduction to the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City,at the center of the ancient city of Beijing, was the center of power to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is a public museum and World Heritage site, that draws millions of visitors from around the world.
In the early 1400s, the third Ming Emperor, YongLe, moved the capital of China to Beijing. In 1406, he began construction of a new 'Forbidden City' that would include an imperial palace complex.
Located at the exact center of the ancient city of Beijing, the palace was the home and center of power for 24 emperors during the mid to latter Ming and Qing dynasties.
Now officially renamed as the 'Palace Museum' ('GuGong' in Chinese, meaning simply 'Old Palace'), the extensive grounds cover over 700,000 square meters. There are around 800 buildings that have about 9,000 rooms in total. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex. Indeed, it is listed by UNESCO as the world's largest collection of preserved ancient wood-based structures and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Forbidden City is located directly to the north of Tian'AnMen Square and can be accessed from the square via Tian'AnMen Gate. This takes you through the south gate of the palace, the 'front door'.
The Forbidden City remains a national symbol and an image of its entrance gate is part of the official seal of the People's Republic of China.
Today, the Palace Museum is open to the public and has become one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can wander through the traditional palace architecture, view the art treasures in exhibitions and recreations, and learn of the many legends involving the imperial family and court.
The Chinese government has made a considerable investment in the the Forbidden City and it is now a fantastic place to meander and imagine the scenes that once played out here. Walls of terra-cotta and white marble, deep red pillars, roofs of golden glazed tiles, and gilded beams all unite to create a vista of outstanding beauty.
Recently, the Forbidden City has been under a major renovation that has limited visitors to a few areas. However, it remains open and the great majority of places are accessible.