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Forbidden City

✨ The crimson palace

The Forbidden City stands at the heart of Beijing and was the imperial palace of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. Construction began in 1406 under the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty, and the main complex was completed in 1420. For nearly five centuries, emperors and their households lived and worked within its walls. The palace complex covers about 72 hectares and contains nearly 1,000 buildings and thousands of rooms.

Its layout follows principles of traditional Chinese architecture, with a strong north–south axis and courtyards arranged according to a clear hierarchy. The main halls stand on raised marble terraces, while wooden structures are decorated with painted details, carved elements, and glazed roof tiles. Yellow roof tiles and red walls became distinctive features because these colours were closely associated with imperial authority.

High walls and a wide moat surrounded the complex, reflecting its political importance and tightly controlled access. The Forbidden City was more than a residence. It was also a centre of government, ceremonies, religious activities, and court life. Important events, including imperial enthronements, major celebrations, and official audiences, took place in its halls and courtyards. Access was carefully regulated, and different areas were assigned according to rank and function.

After the last emperor, Puyi, abdicated in 1912, parts of the palace remained connected to the imperial household for some time as China underwent major political changes. In 1925, the former palace opened to the public as the Palace Museum. It now preserves a vast collection of Chinese paintings, ceramics, furniture, documents, and other works of art. The Forbidden City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Today, it is an important source for understanding Chinese imperial history, architecture, art, and court culture, as well as one of Beijing’s most significant historical sites.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that the Forbidden City has nearly 10,000 rooms? Legend says there are exactly 9,999 and a half! This number was chosen because the Chinese believed that only the God of Heaven could own a 10,000-room palace. To build it, over a million workers and 15 years of hard labor were needed, using materials from all over China.

In the Forbidden City, colors have a sacred meaning. Almost all roofs are yellow because it was the color reserved for the emperor, symbolizing the earth and the sun. Walls are red because it is the color of joy and power. To protect from fire, there were huge bronze jars filled with water everywhere in the courtyards, as most of the palaces are made of wood!

If you look at the roof corners, you will see small statues of mythical animals and dragons. The more statues there were, the more important the building was! The throne building has the maximum number (10). It was believed that these magic guardians protected the palaces against lightning, fire, and evil spirits.