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- Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing

The Forbidden City (故宫) (Imperial Palace) at the heart of Beijing is the largest and most complete imperial palace and ancient building complex in China and the world at large. Its construction began in 1406 and was completed 14 years later, giving it a history of over 580 years. Twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911) lived and ruled China from there. Most of the buildings in the Forbidden City were rebuilt many times, although they maintained the original architectural style.

The buildings of the Forbidden City fully embody the artistic features and style of ancient Chinese palatial architecture, called by many a masterpiece in China's – and indeed the world's – architectural history. Today, as the largest museum of cultural relics in China, the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum, collects and displays roughly one million precious historical relics from the Shang Dynasty (1600-771 BC) through to the Qing Dynasty. It was made part of the world cultural heritage list in 1987.

Travel tips:

1. At Meridian Gate, visitors can rent a guide tape in different languages with a player, which introduces the history and architecture of the palace. The tape and player can be returned at the north gate of the Palace Museum.

2. Don't forget to visit the Jingshan (Coal Hill) Park, on the opposite of the palace's north gate, from where you can see the splendid layout of the palace.

- Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (May-September); 8:30 a.m. – 15:30 p.m. (October-April);

- Admission: 60 yuan/person (high season), 40 yuan/person (low season). Some of the minor museums inside cost extra;

- How to get there:

            - Subways: Line 1: get down at Tian'anmen East, Loop Line: get down at Qianmen;

            - Bus: No. 1, 4, 5, 10, 20, 22, 52, 57, 802; it is within walking distance from Wangfujing, Xidan or Qianmen.

- Tel: 86-10-65132255.

- Website: http://www.dpm.org.cn/english/default.asp