World’s largest palace was home to 24 emperors, it stayed forbidden for over 500 years due to…, it is located in…
In the center of China’s Beijing stands the Forbidden City, the largest palace in the world. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but for over 500 years it was the royal home of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also called the Imperial Palace, the complex covers about 180 acres and is surrounded by a tall wall and a wide moat, keeping it separate from the rest of the capital.
For centuries, this grand palace was a secret world where only emperors and their courts lived. Ordinary people were never allowed inside. Now, times have changed and the Forbidden City is open to the public, letting visitors walk through its historic halls and get a glimpse of China’s imperial past that was once hidden away.
About Beijing’s Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was built between 1406 and 1420, taking 14 years to complete. Over one million workers were involved in its construction. It was commissioned by Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty, who moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing and ordered the palace to be built as a secure home and political center.
For centuries, the palace was the heart of Chinese politics. The Ming dynasty ruled from 1420 until 1644, followed by the Qing dynasty, which began with Emperor Shunzhi. The last emperor to live there was Puyi of the Qing dynasty, who gave up the throne in 1924.
Soon after, the Forbidden City was turned into the Palace Museum, and it was opened to the public, allowing people to explore what was once the private world of emperors.
Why was the palace named Forbidden City?
The palace was called the Forbidden City because ordinary people were not allowed to enter. Only the emperor, his family, close officials, and servants could live inside. Even then, strict rules applied — the emperor could move freely everywhere, but others were restricted to specific areas.
Anyone who tried to enter without permission had to face harsh punishment, sometimes even death. Life inside the palace was highly controlled and filled with rituals. The Outer Court was used for official ceremonies and state affairs, while the Inner Court was reserved for the emperor’s private and family life.
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