Forbidden City, at the heart of Beijing Commissioned in 1406 by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty , it was first officially occupied by the court in 1420. It was so named because access to the area was barred to most of the people. Government functionaries and even the imperial family were permitted only limited access; the emperor alone could enter any section at will. Entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 1987 in recognition of its importance as the center of Chinese power for five centuries, as well as for its unparalleled architecture.
Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, lies at the city center of Beijing, and once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911). It was first built throughout 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square rectangular in shape, it is the world’s largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat and a 10-meter-high wall.
