Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This magnificent complex contains 9,999 rooms and is the world's largest palace complex, showcasing the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architecture and imperial culture.

Construction began in 1406 under Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty and took 14 years to complete. For nearly 500 years, it was the exclusive domain of emperors and their households, forbidden to ordinary people. Today, it houses one of the world's most important collections of Chinese cultural artifacts.

• Book tickets online in advance as daily visitor numbers are limited
• Allow at least 3-4 hours for a thorough visit
• Rent an audio guide or join a tour for historical context
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll cover several kilometers
• Visit during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds