The Forbidden City


The Forbidden City is the palatial heart of China. Constructed in 1420, during the early Ming Dynasty, it is China's best-preserved imperial palace, and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

As one of the five most important palaces in the world, the grand halls and walls proudly display the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architecture, fitting for the capital city of the world’s largest nation.

Fast Facts about the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

Most outstanding feature: It’s the largest imperial palace in the world.

Things to see: imperial living and governing quarters, valuable artworks, and traditional gardens

Time needed: at least 2–3 hours

Location: the center of Beijing, north of Tian’anmen Square

Open: 8:30am–5:30pm or 8:30am–5pm off-peak; closed on Mondays

Entry: 60 yuan April–October; 40 yuan November–March

10 Numbers to Describe the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City took 14 years to build (from 1406 to 1420).

It was built by over 1,000,000 workers, including more than 100,000 craftsmen.


It was the imperial palace of China for 492 years (1420–1912).

It was the home of 24 emperors — 14 of the Ming dynasty and 10 of the Qing dynasty

It covers 0.72 sq km (0.28 sq mi), of which 15 hectares (38 acres) are floor area.

It has 980 buildings in over 70 palace compounds, with over 8,700 rooms.

It is 961 meters long from south to north and 753 meters wide.

It is surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall, which is 3.4 km (2 miles) long.

It has a 52-meter wide moat round it.

It hosts 14 million visitors per year, a maximum of 80,000 visitors per day.

For more facts, see 10 Facts You Should Know Before Visiting the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City

In ancient times, the emperor was said to be a son of Heaven, and therefore Heaven’s supreme power was bestowed upon him. The emperors’ residence was built leading north, as an earthly foil to the heavenly Purple Palace, i.e. the North Star, though to be home to the Celestial Emperor.

Considered a divine place, it was certainly forbidden to ordinary peopleand that is why the Forbidden City is so named.

Originally it was called 'Purple Forbidden City' (紫禁城 Zijincheng /dzrr-jin-chng/).

Now, in China, it is usually called the 'Former Palace' (故宫 Gugong /goo-gong/).

History

The construction of the grand palace started in the fourth year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1406), and ended in 1420.

From 1420 to 1644, the Forbidden City was the home of 14 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

From October 1644, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty.

In 1860, during the Second Opium War, the Forbidden City was controlled by Anglo-French forces and occupied until the end of the war.

From 1912, the Forbidden City was no longer home to the emperor with the abdication of Puyi, the last Emperor of China.

In 1925, the Forbidden City became the Palace Museum.

It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.