Forbidden City

The Forbidden City (The Palace Museum) has been the residence of 24 emperors. The Forbidden City covers 170 acres and around 9000 rooms rich in antiques, clocks and jewels and was built during the period 1406-1420 and is located a kilometre north Tiananmen Square. It is believed that around 1,000,000 workers were used to construct the Forbidden City. The last Emperor to live in the city was Puyi who left in 1924.

The southern section of The Forbidden City was the official area and the northern section, or the Inner Court the living area. The last emperor left in 1924. A wide deep moat and a 10 metre high wall surround the city as a rectangle with four corner towers. Located at Jingshanqian Jie, Dongcheng District (6513 2255)

As you enter the city you pass under the Gate of Supreme Harmony and then opens into a large courtyard. On the north of the courtyard is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The second ceremonial hall you then pass through is the Hall of Middle harmony. Then comes the Hall of Preserving Harmony next to a Starbucks! From here you can explore the Hall of Jewellery, Inner Palace, and Imperial Garden and to the exit via the North Gate.

It normally takes about 3 hours to explore the Forbidden City and English audio tour read by Roger Moore is available. The main entry point is the Meridian Gate which is 10 minutes walk north of Tian’anmen Square. This is the same gate as the Gate of Heavenly Peace. (6513 2255)