1. What is the Forbidden City?
It was the imperial palace and the political heart of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1911).
Now, also known as the Palace Museum, it's a top attraction throughout China.
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2. Why is it called the "Forbidden City"?
In the past, commoners were prohibited from entering the Forbidden City without permission and only imperial families and invited high officials can enter. Hence the name.
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3. Where is the Forbidden City? How can I get there?
The Forbidden City is situated to the north of Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing.
The only entrance is the Meridian Gate (South Gate). Tourists can get there easily either by subway or by bus.
4. Is it far from Tiananmen Square?
No. The Forbidden City is next to Tiananmen Square. You can walk there from the square in a few minutes. First, find the Tiananmen Tower with a portrait of Chairman Mao, pass through the tower and you will see the Meridian Gate.
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5. Who built the Forbidden City?
Upon ascending the throne in 1402, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) intended to move the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, so he ordered the construction of the Forbidden City. 230,000 artisans and millions of laborers participated in the construction.
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6. How old is the Forbidden City? / When was the Forbidden City built?
It was constructed from 1406 and completed in 1420. The age is about 600 years old.
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7. Why is the Forbidden City important?
The Forbidden City is the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world, inscribed as a world cultural heritage by the UNESO in 1987. Moreover, it was the home for 24 emperors of China.
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8. How big is the Forbidden City? / How Many Rooms are there in the Forbidden City?
The Forbidden City is very large. It runs 753 meters (823 yards) from east to west, and extends 961 meters (1,051 yards) from north to south, covering an area of about 72 hectares (178 acres).
The folk legend says that there are totally 9999.5 rooms in Forbidden City. According to the latest counting, now Forbidden City has 9,371 rooms.
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9. Can you visit the Forbidden City？
Yes, it’s now open to the public.
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10. What can I see in the Forbidden City?
You can see magnificent palaces, splendid halls, grand towers, wonderful pavilions and beautiful belvederes.
The perfect designs of these ancient buildings will leave a deep impression on you.
The exquisite decorations on the roofs, eaves, walls, railings, pillars and furniture will make you amazed and fascinated! Moreover, there are numerous precious cultural relics on exhibition.
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