Listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1987, Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the most visited sites in the world. It was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.  You can just imagine how revered and venerated Forbidden City was, as the people then believed that the supreme powers of the emperors were given by God. Commoners were not allowed to enter the palace grounds without a special permission, thus the moniker “Forbidden City”. Today, it is called the Palace Museum, and is open to the public.

Forbidden City is a walled compound surrounded by a moat. It has 8,707 rooms which are actually belvederes, pavilions, towers, halls, and small palaces. Getting to Forbidden City is quite easy. It is located right in the heart of Beijing. Would you believe that Forbidden City is visited by about 14 million people annually?  It can be really crowded, so it is highly recommended that you join a tour group and visit during the months of July to August.

There is so much to see inside Forbidden City! Although some of its cultural relics were transferred to Taipei's National Palace Museum in 1948, there are still hundreds of thousands of articles still being displayed all over the palace  including  paintings and calligraphy works, ceramics, textile embroideries,  jewelries and accessories,sculptures, metal works, and so much more. You need to see it to believe it!

One of the most important five palaces in the world, Forbidden City should be on your bucket list!