The Forbidden City is an imperial palace complex located in the center of Beijing, China. It served as the residence and political center for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1924, making it the heart of Chinese imperial power for over 500 years
. The name "Forbidden City" (Chinese: 紫禁城, Zǐjìnchéng) means "Purple Forbidden City," referring to the North Star, which in Chinese astrology was considered the home of the Celestial Emperor. The palace was "forbidden" because it was a walled city with restricted access-only the emperor could enter any section at will, and most subjects were barred from entering
. Construction began in 1406 and was completed in 1420 under the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty. The complex covers about 178 acres (72 hectares) and contains nearly 9,000 rooms, making it the largest preserved royal palace complex in the world. It exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, with buildings arranged according to feng shui principles and designed to symbolize imperial power and hierarchy
. The Forbidden City is surrounded by a 26-foot-high wall and a wide moat for protection. Its roofs are mostly covered with yellow glazed tiles, the color symbolizing the emperor. After the fall of the Qing dynasty, the last emperor Puyi was expelled in 1924, and the palace was converted into the Palace Museum in 1925, which now houses over one million rare Chinese artworks and artifacts
. In 1987, the Forbidden City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance and outstanding architecture. Today, it remains one of the most visited and valuable historical sites in the world
