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Located in the middle of Beijing, the Forbidden City (also name Gugong) is an awe-inspiring sight. For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household, and the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese imperial government.

Enclosed behind its moat and 9.9 meter (33 feet) high walls are 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms,. These together with the vast courtyards and long corridors occupy a total area of 720,000 square meters (178 acres). The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has been used as a model that has had significant influence on cultural and architectural developments throughout East Asia.

The Forbidden City (Gugong) is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court, is home to the official buildings where the emperor carried out national affairs and publicly ruled. The northern section, or the Inner Court, was where he lived with his royal family. Serving as the imperial palace for 14 emperors of the Ming Dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing Dynasty, the Forbidden City houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. The site has been recognized worldwide for its monumental importance and was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.

It is alleged that as many as 1,000,000 workers and 100,000 artisans participated in the construction of this imperial palace. The massive project ordered by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty was undertaken in 1406 and took 14 years to complete. The stone needed was quarried from Fangshan, a suburb of Beijing. It is believed that a well was dug every fifty meters (164 feet) along the road so that in the winter water could be easily poured onto it. This would then freeze and huge stones were slid across it to make transporting them to the city easier. The huge amounts of timber and other materials needed were hauled in from faraway provinces. The design of the Forbidden City reflects the impressive skill of those who built it. For example, the city wall was built narrowing from bottom to top in a way that totally frustrates attempts to climb it. The bricks were made from white lime and glutinous rice while the cement was made from glutinous rice and egg whites. These incredible materials make the wall extraordinarily strong.

Besides its massive scale and historical significance, the Forbidden City invokes visitors ' imaginations. Its clear lines, perfect proportions, and dramatic color scheme of vermilion walls, white marble terrace and staircases, and brilliant yellow-tiled roofs create one of the world 's most beautiful architectural complexes. It was built along a meridian line. From the Dragon 's throne, an axis can be drawn directly south through the many gates, right through to Qianmen and on. Taking in the whole site requires at least 3 hours, and a comfortable pair of shoes.