The Beijing Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, is located in the center of Beijing. It is one of the most magnificent and important royal palaces in Chinese history, as well as the world’s largest and best-preserved ancient palace complex. Serving as the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is not only a symbol of ancient Chinese imperial power but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered a treasure of Chinese civilization, showcasing the brilliance of ancient Chinese architecture, art, and history. Every year, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
Forbidden City Facts
- Chinese name: 故宫 Gugong
- Name: The Imperial Palace or the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City
- Location: No. 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
- Area: 72 hectares
- Construction Time: 1406 to 1420, Ming Dynasty
- Initiator: Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty
- Designer: Kuai Xiang
- Type: World Heritage Site, National First-class Museum, Historical Sites, Architectural Buildings
- Best Seasons: All seasons, especially Autumn
- Recommended Visiting Time: 2 ~ 4 hours
- Opening Hours: Apr to Oct: 8:30 ~ 17:00 / Nov to Mar: 8:30 ~ 16:30 / Closed on Mondays
- Tickets: Apr to Oct: CNY 60 / Nov to Mar: CNY 40
The Forbidden City, built from 1406–1420 under Emperor Yongle, was China’s imperial palace for 492 years, housing 24 emperors.
No trees in its outer courts (to maintain majesty) and special roofs to deter birds. It has European/Arabic-style buildings and “Cold Palaces” for disfavored royals. Over 1 million workers built it, using ancient wooden structures still standing today.
With 9,999½ rooms (myth says), it’s the world’s largest palace complex—3x bigger than France’s Louvre. Once forbidden to commoners, it became the Palace Museum in 1925, now welcoming 19 million visitors yearly.
History
The Forbidden City (now 619 years old) was built between 1406-1420 by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. This third Ming emperor, who seized power through a coup, relocated the capital from Nanjing to Beijing to consolidate his rule.
Its name “Forbidden City” originated from the strict prohibition of ordinary citizens entering the imperial precinct.
Most surviving structures were rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty after three major fires.
During the Second Opium War (1856-1860), it was occupied by Anglo-French forces. After the last emperor Puyi was expelled in 1924, the site opened to the public as the Palace Museum in 1925.
In 1987, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site.
Layout and Major Palaces of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is about 960 meters long from north to south and about 750 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of more than 720,000 square meters, with more than 8,000 existing houses. It is surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall and a 52-meter-wide moat outside the wall. There is a gate on each of the four sides, the Wumen Gate in the south, the Shenwu Gate in the north, the Donghua Gate in the east, and the Xihua Gate in the west.
The Forbidden City consists of two major parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Court.
The Outer Court
The Outer Court was where the emperor handled government affairs. It mainly consisted of three main halls: the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian).
The first hall is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which is the most important and largest building in the Forbidden City. The emperor’s throne is located here. During the Qing Dynasty, it was mainly used for various ceremonies such as coronations, investiture, and royal weddings.
The Hall of Central Harmony is located behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It is the place where the emperor rests and practices etiquette before going to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for the grand ceremony.
The last one is the Hall of Preserving Harmony, where the emperor gave banquets to princes and nobles on New Year’s Eve every year, and where the imperial examinations were held.
The Inner Court
The Inner Court, located at the northern section, served as the emperor’s residential and daily administrative area. It centers around three main structures: the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong), the Hall of Union (Jiaotaidian), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunninggong).
The Palace of Heavenly Purity initially functioned as the emperor’s residence before becoming an audience hall during Emperor Yongzheng’s reign. The Hall of Union stored imperial seals, while the Palace of Earthly Tranquility transitioned from the empress’s quarters (Ming Dynasty) to a shamanist worship space (Qing Dynasty).
Flanking the central axis are the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, where are used for concubines and maids of different ranks. Unlike the grand ceremonial Outer Court, the Inner Court’s architecture reflects a more intimate, residential style.
Forbidden City Collections
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) holds over 1 million collection of Ming and Qing imperial treasures, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, bronzeware, clocks, and religious artifacts. These priceless cultural relics, displayed in palace halls and special galleries like the Treasure Gallery, showcase China’s artistic brilliance across millennia. As both an architectural marvel and world-class heritage site, the museum preserves the splendor of ancient Chinese civilization.
How to Get to the Forbidden City
The Meridian Gate is the south gate of the Palace Museum and serves as the entrance for visitors.
By Metro
Take Metro Line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit B) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), walk 500 meters (550 yards) to Tiananmen Tower, then walk north to Meridian Gate.
If you want to visit Tiananmen Square first, in addition to Metro Line 1, you can also take Metro Line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north across the square to find Tiananmen Tower, and then continue north to Meridian Gate.
By Bus
Take bus No. 1, 2, 52, 82, 120, or sightseeing bus No. 1 or 2 and get off at Tiananmen East Station; or take bus No. 1, 5, 52, or sightseeing bus No. 1 or 2 and get off at Tiananmen West Station.
Forbidden City Tickets
Buy Tickets with Trip Discounts| Entrance Ticket Price | April 1st to October 31st: CNY 60 November 1st to March 31st: CNY40 Half price for seniors over 60. Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or no more than 6 years old. |
| Treasure Gallery | CNY 10 (in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, including the Opera Museum and Stone Drum Museum) Half price for seniors over 60. Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or no more than 6 years old. |
| Clocks and Watches Gallery | CNY 10 (in the Hall for Ancestry Worship) Half price for seniors over 60. |
| Opening Hours | April to October: 8:30-17:00 November to March: 8:30-16:30 It is closed on Mondays, except the Chinese statutory holidays. |
Forbidden City Map
Forbidden City Classic Visiting Route
2-hour Tour
- Recommended route 1: Meridian Gate → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Martial Valor → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Gate of Heavenly Purity → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might
- Recommended route 2: eridian Gate → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Western Corridor of Hall of Preserving Harmony → Eastern Corridor of Hall of Preserving Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Gate of Heavenly Purity → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might
Half-Day Tour Route of the Forbidden City
Recommended route 1:
Meridian Gate → Hall of Literary Brilliance → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Hall of Ancestral Worship (Clock Gallery) → Gate of Heavenly Purity → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Hall of Mental Cultivation → Western Six Palaces → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might
Recommended route 2:
Meridian Gate → Hall of Martial Valor → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Eastern Six Palaces → Palace of Abstinence → Front Section of Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Treasure Gallery) → Rear Section of Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Treasure Gallery, Opera Gallery & Zhenfei Well) → Gate of Divine Might
Full-Day Tour Route of the Forbidden City
Meridian Gate → Hall of Martial Valor → Hall of Literary Brilliance → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Hall of Mental Cultivation → Western Six Palaces → Imperial Garden → Eastern Six Palaces → Hall of Ancestral Worship (Clock Gallery) → Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Treasure Gallery) → Gate of Divine Might