The Forbidden City (紫禁城, Zĭjìnchéng) is the vast former imperial palace at the heart of Beijing. For over 500 years (1420–1924) it served as China’s political and ceremonial center, housing 24 emperors of the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties. Enclosed by 10-meter-high walls and a 52-meter-wide moat, this 72-hectare complex is now the Palace Museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Chinese, it’s also called Gùgōng (故宫, “Former Palace”). The Forbidden City is the world’s largest preserved ancient palace complex and embodies imperial architecture and symbolism.
Key facts: – Residence: Home of 14 Ming + 10 Qing emperors (1420–1912, “Son of Heaven”).
– Size: ~72 hectares (178 acres), 961×753 m (3152×2470 ft).
– Structure: 98 major buildings in 90+ courtyard compounds, ~8,800 inner rooms (plus treasures).
– Today: UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed 1987) and Beijing’s Palace Museum showcasing dynastic art.
The Forbidden City’s history began when Emperor Yongle (朱棣) of the Ming Dynasty moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. He ordered its construction in 1406, and over 14 years (1406–1420) a workforce of about one million laborers and 100,000 craftsmen built the palace. Materials were hauled from across China – even roads were iced over in winter so heavy logs and stones could be slid on the ice. Legend says boats floated five huge bronze water vats (4 tons each) into the city to serve as fire reservoirs. For example, special “golden bricks” were baked from Suzhou clay for the palace floors, and prized Phoebe zhennan wood (楨楠) was used for the main pillars.
Construction Marvel: Over 14 years (1406–1420) nearly 1.1 million workers built the Forbidden City. The massive moat was dug by hand, and the walls (7.9 m high, 8.62 m base width) used rammed-earth cores with triple-brick facings and mortar of rice and egg white for strength. All this effort reflects the emperor’s ambition: legend even says there are 9,999 rooms in the palace – one less than 10,000, the number of the heavens.
Geographically, the Forbidden City sits exactly at the center of Beijing’s historic grid. It lies along the city’s main north–south axis: from Yongding Gate in the south, through Tiananmen (the next gate) and the Forbidden City, and onward 7.5 km north past Jingshan Park to the old Drum and Bell Towers. Notably, this axis is tilted slightly to the northwest (by ~2°) – scholars believe it aligns with Shangdu, the Mongol capital of Yuan Dynasty China.
The palace is a square footprint nearly 1 km on a side. A vast brick wall (7.9 m high) surrounds it, with watchtower turrets at each corner and a wide water-filled moat. To its north beyond the moat is Jingshan Hill (景山), an artificial mound built from the palace’s earth.
Internally, the layout follows strict symmetry. The complex divides into Outer (Front) Court and Inner (Back) Court. The Outer Court occupies the southern half: it contains the grand ceremonial halls. The Inner Court in the north held the living quarters of the emperor and empress. All important buildings (especially the main halls) face south along the central axis, in keeping with feng shui and Confucian cosmology.
A floor plan: Upon entry at the Meridian Gate, one encounters a huge courtyard and an artificial stream called the Golden Water River (flowing under five marble bridges). To the north is the Gate of Supreme Harmony and the three-hall sequence (Hall of Supreme Harmony, Central Harmony, Preserving Harmony) on ascending terraces. The Inner Court behind includes the emperor’s main residence (Palace of Heavenly Purity) and the empress’s (Palace of Earthly Tranquility), flanked by living quarters for consorts, concubines, and princes. Finally at the very north is the Imperial Garden.
The Forbidden City contains dozens of remarkable buildings. Key structures along the central axis include:
The monumental southern entrance. It has five arches (five doorways) crowned by five roofs. Only the emperor could pass through the central arch; officials and visiting envoys had to use the four side arches. Standing about 38 m tall (125 ft), the Meridian Gate’s towering presence and lion-like flanking wings symbolize imperial power and authority. Guards once posted here controlled access to the palace’s heart.
The largest and grandest hall, atop the highest marble terrace. It is the ceremonial center: new emperors were enthroned here, and major rituals (weddings, New Year ceremonies) were held under its gilded roof. The hall is 96 m wide and 37.2 m deep. Rising roughly 30–35 m above the ground, it is the largest surviving wooden structure in China. Its interior boasts 72 painted wooden pillars, carved dragons, and the gilded dragon throne of the emperor.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony’s double-eaved roof is covered in imperial yellow glazed tiles (the color reserved for the emperor) and crowned with ten ornamental figures on the ridge (the ninth and tenth called “hangshi” and “hangshi”, denoting its unique status).
A smaller square pavilion just north of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It served as a resting and preparation space for the emperor between ceremonies. Its design echoes the larger halls, with a yellow-tiled roof and red columns, but on a more modest scale. (It has no major relics, functioning mainly as a transitional waiting area.)
A smaller square pavilion just north of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It served as a resting and preparation space for the emperor between ceremonies. Its design echoes the larger halls, with a yellow-tiled roof and red columns, but on a more modest scale. (It has no major relics, functioning mainly as a transitional waiting area.)
The largest building in the Inner Court, serving as the emperor’s primary residence and audience hall. Built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1798, its name invokes the Qian trigram (☰, Heaven) of the I Ching. Its main hall was used by early Ming and Qing emperors for state affairs before they moved to more modest quarters in later dynasties. Emperor Qianlong even held banquets for elders (上寿宴) here. Today it contains the enthronement plaque and preserves the atmosphere of royal living quarters.
Originally the empress’s main residence, its name invokes the Kun trigram (☷, Earth). Unique for its slightly different architectural style (reflecting Manchu influence and the personal tastes of the empress dowagers), it was where the empress would receive concubines and where imperial weddings took place. Notably, it was the only building with a black roof tile (instead of yellow) to symbolize water quelling fire.
At the northern tip of the complex lies a 1.2-hectare pleasure garden built in 1417. It departs from the strict symmetry of the rest of the complex, featuring ancient pines, rockeries, fish ponds, and winding paths. Four small octagonal pavilions (each named for a season) provide viewpoints. Designed as the imperial family’s private retreat, it was a place for leisure, contemplation, and small rituals.
At each of the four corners rises a multi-storied watchtower of exquisite design. Each tower has a nine-bay roof with 72 ornamental roof ridges – a nod to the often-repeated motif of 72 that appears in Chinese cosmology and palace lore. According to legend, craftsmen needed the help of master builder Lu Ban to reassemble these intricate structures after renovation, underscoring their complexity.
Every aspect of the Forbidden City’s design is laden with symbolism. Rooted in Daoist cosmology and Confucian hierarchy, the layout and decoration declare the emperor’s divine mandate and the cosmic order. The entire palace follows the ancient Yingzao Fashi building standards. All major halls lie on a north–south central axis (the axis of Heaven), and most face south to honor the sun and Qian (Heaven) trigram.
Numbers and colors: The number 9 is ubiquitous, symbolizing the emperor. Traditional lore claims there are 9,999 rooms, one shy of ten thousand (the myriad of heaven). Eight is also avoided in major imperial structures out of deference to the Heavenly number. The roofs are imperial yellow glazed tiles – exclusively for the emperor’s palaces. Red walls and columns (vermillion) symbolize joy, prosperity, and good fortune.
Mythical motifs: Dragons (龍) and phoenixes (鳳) adorn beams, pillars, and stonework. The dragon (often five-clawed) is the emperor’s emblem; the phoenix represents the empress and yin energy. Together they reinforce the emperor’s authority and balance. For example, the Hall of Supreme Harmony features dragon motifs on its painted beams and the three-tiered marble platform steps (Dragon motifs on all four sides), signifying imperial might.
Spatial symbolism: The Forbidden City was consciously a “palace in miniature” of the cosmic world. Its outer court (southern half) is arranged with groups of three (the trigram Qian ☰ for Heaven) – three gates, three main halls – emphasizing yang energy. The inner court (northern half) has structures arranged in clusters of six (trigram Kun ☷ for Earth and femininity), reflecting yin energies and the domestic realm. In fact, the emperor’s consorts lived in six westward complexes arranged in a Kun pattern, symbolizing their subordinate, earth-bound role.
Symbol | Imperial Meaning |
Number 9 | Largest single digit; symbolic of the emperor. The palace’s rumored 9,999 rooms (one less than 10,000 in heaven) underscore the emperor’s celestial link. |
Yellow roof | Color of the emperor (the center of the universe). Nearly all palace roofs are yellow-glazed tiles. |
Red walls | Auspicious and protective; symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. |
Dragon (龍) | Power, strength, and the male emperor. Dragon motifs (especially five-clawed) appear on roofs, thrones, and ritual objects. |
Phoenix (鳳) | High virtue and the female empress. Often paired with the dragon, representing harmony and yin-yang balance. |
Trigram ☰ (Qian) | Heaven, male energy. Reflected in groups of three halls in the Outer (ceremonial) Court. |
Trigram ☷ (Kun) | Earth, female energy. Reflected in groups of six buildings (for the inner court’s concubines) and the Inner Court layout. |
Building the Forbidden City was a massive engineering feat. Chinese historical records state:
The craftsmanship achieved is extraordinary. For example, the golden bricks covering the ceremonial halls are famed for their smooth, resonant sound and hardness. The wooden beams are giant logs of nanmu wood that have survived six centuries with little decay. Overall, the architects and artisans of the Ming and Qing dynasties combined practical engineering with ritual requirements, resulting in a complex that is both structurally sound and rich with meaning.
Feature | Detail |
Area | 72 hectares (178 acres) |
Overall Dimensions | 961 m × 753 m (3,152 × 2,470 ft) |
Building Floor Space | 724,250 m² (7,787,500 ft²) |
Number of Buildings | 98 (major halls and pavilions) |
Approx. Rooms | ~8,886 (traditional lore: 9,999) |
Enclosing Wall Height | 7.9 m (26 ft) |
Moat | 52 m wide, 6 m deep |
Construction Period | 1406–1420 (14 years) |
Labor Force | ~1,100,000 people (incl. 100,000 artisans) |
Emperors | 24 total (14 Ming, 10 Qing) |
World Heritage | UNESCO site (inscribed 1987) |
These figures illustrate the Forbidden City’s immense scale. Today it remains one of the world’s most-visited heritage sites, attracting millions annually as the Palace Museum.
Q: What is the Forbidden City?
A: The Forbidden City is the former imperial palace of China, built in the early 15th century and located in central Beijing. It was the Ming and Qing dynasties’ seat of power for about 500 years and is now the Palace Museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Q: Why is it called the Forbidden City?
A: In Chinese it’s Zijin Cheng (紫禁城), literally “Purple Forbidden City.” Zi (purple) refers to the North Star (the celestial emperor), and jin (forbidden) means ordinary people were banned from entering the imperial precinct. Ancient law made unauthorized entry a capital offense.
Q: Where is the Forbidden City located?
A: It stands at the exact center of Beijing’s old city, on the main north–south axis. Its southern gate faces Tiananmen and the central avenue (leading to Yongding Gate), while to the north it looks toward Jingshan Park.
Q: How many rooms does the Forbidden City have?
A: By modern count there are about 8,886 rooms in the Forbidden City. However, traditional accounts claim 9,999 (the number of the heavens) plus a “half” room, for a total of 9,999½. The “9,999” legend highlights the emperor’s supremacy just short of heavenly perfection.
Q: Who built the Forbidden City and when?
A: Construction was ordered by the Yongle Emperor of Ming China. It began in 1406 and was essentially complete by 1420, taking about 14 years and over a million workers to finish. The emperor then made Beijing the empire’s capital.
Q: What is the Hall of Supreme Harmony?
A: The Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) is the largest and most important building in the Forbidden City. At 64×37 m and roughly 30 m tall, it was used for major imperial ceremonies like coronations and New Year rituals. It is the largest wooden palace hall in China, richly decorated with gold and dragon motifs.
Q: Why is the Forbidden City a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A: UNESCO inscribed it in 1987 as the Ming and Qing Imperial Palace complex, citing its exceptional historical and cultural value. The Forbidden City is “a masterpiece of Chinese palatial architecture” and “a priceless testimony to Chinese civilization” during those dynasties.
Q: What do the building colors and numbers symbolize?
A: In Chinese tradition, yellow is the emperor’s color, so nearly every roof is yellow-glazed tile. Red walls and columns symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Many elements use the number 9: for instance, the Hall of Supreme Harmony has nine bays, and the palace is said to have 9,999 rooms. The trigrams ☰ (Heaven, 3 lines) and ☷ (Earth, 6 lines) appear in the layout of courtyards and halls, reflecting cosmic order (outer court = Heaven, inner court = Earth).
Q: Can visitors tour the Forbidden City today?
A: Yes. The Forbidden City is now the Palace Museum, open to the public daily except Mondays. Visitors can walk through most courtyards and halls; some buildings contain museum exhibits of imperial artifacts. (Photography is restricted in certain areas.) Tickets are timed-entry and sell out in advance. English tours and maps highlight major halls like the Meridian Gate and Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Q: How long does it take to tour the Forbidden City?
A: To see the main sights, plan at least 3–4 hours. There is over 7 km of palace path to walk if you explore thoroughly. On busy days, crowds and security lines can slow progress. It’s recommended to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and perhaps focus on the Outer Court’s three great halls and the Inner Court’s main palaces and garden.
