The Forbidden City is as its name suggests, but not anymore of course. It was in existence throughout the Ming to Qing dynasty from 1420 to 1912, the end of China’s imperialism. The general public wasn’t allowed onto the site without the emperor’s permission as emperors were considered to be sons of Heaven then. Apart from its prominent history, its pride also stems from being the largest imperial palace on Earth – it took more than a million people and 14 years before it was finally constructed!

Since 1925, it has been open to the public as the Palace Museum. The well-preserved and culturally rich city was also listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1987. Given the wide area of the land of 720,000 sqm, there is undoubtedly much to explore and see. Visitors typically spend a minimum of three hours day to an entire day there. With its 980 buildings and about 8,700 rooms, you can find yourself surrounded by hundreds of thousands of priceless jewellery, ceramics, and paintings divided into various galleries. When marvelling at these pieces, don’t forget to take a step back and see the architecture too. It is clear that Chinese culture and traditions go way back, evident by elements such as the placement of various animal statues in significant halls to welcome good luck and fortune. Whether it’s to learn about the palace’s history or Chinese culture, the Forbidden City is a must to visit when you’re in Beijing.