One of China’s top tourist attractions, the Forbidden City was built by Emperor Yong Le during the Ming Dynasty and is located in the heart of Beijing. The seat of power for centuries, it has seen countless battles followed by reconstruction with the architecture seen today dating back to the 1700s. The world’s largest palace complex, the Forbidden City is comprised of more than 9,000 rooms and is spread over 250 acres. The massive complex was home of some six thousand people, including the imperial family, and is encased by a mighty defensive wall and a deep moat.

The Forbidden City is segregated into two parts referred to as outer and inner. Buildings of the outer part were used mainly for ceremonial purposes while the inner part structures were where the Emperor worked and resided. Yellow, the imperial color, flows over the rooftops. Red is the color of the walls and was considered a symbol of happiness and auspiciousness. However, Wenyuange, the royal library with a black roof, is an exception. The Chinese believed that black symbolized water and could extinguish fire.

Be sure to check out the royal gardens that flank the Forbidden City. Two of the most popular ones that you don’t want to miss are Beihai Park and Jingshan Park. In Jingshan Park, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty hung himself as his home was invaded by rebels. Also, Jingshan Hill is the best place to take in the splendid layout of the palace.

IMAGE VIA: skinnydiver on Flickr

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