The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the centre of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.

The Meridian Gate, front entrance to the Forbidden City, with two protruding wings

Forbidden City Courtyard

The Gate of Divine Might, the northern gate. The lower tablet reads “The Palace Museum”