The Forbidden City stands as one of the most significant architectural and cultural achievements in human history. For nearly 500 years, it served as the exclusive residence of 24 Chinese emperors, the political heart of the nation, and a symbol of imperial power that shaped the destiny of over a billion people.
Today, as the Palace Museum, it houses one of the world's largest collections of preserved ancient wooden structures and an unparalleled treasury of Chinese art, artifacts, and imperial treasures spanning millennia of Chinese civilization.
Walking through its 9,999 rooms (legend says 9,999.5), you trace the footsteps of emperors, concubines, and officials who once navigated these vermilion walls, experiencing a living monument to Chinese culture that continues to inspire wonder and reverence.
