“The world largest palatial complex contains 9;999 rooms of Ming and Qing dynasty timber-frame architecture; the Hall of Supreme Harmony anchors a meridian axis that defined the celestial order for five centuries; enter the Meridian Gate at 8:30 am when the sun strikes the yellow-glazed roof tiles; the smell of sun-warmed cedar and old lacquer fills the vast; silent courtyards before the wind picks up across the stone.”
About The Forbidden City
The world largest palatial complex contains 9;999 rooms of Ming and Qing dynasty timber-frame architecture; the Hall of Supreme Harmony anchors a meridian axis that defined the celestial order for five centuries; enter the Meridian Gate at 8:30 am when the sun strikes the yellow-glazed roof tiles; the smell of sun-warmed cedar and old lacquer fills the vast; silent courtyards before the wind picks up across the stone.
Why Visit
The Forbidden City is one of China's defining sites — a place that rewards every visitor differently.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Book tickets for The Forbidden City in advance to skip long queues.
- 2
Hire a local guide to unlock the stories behind every corner.
- 3
Spend extra time in the least-visited sections — they're often the most rewarding.
