The History of Forbidden City - 600 Years of Empire

The Forbidden City, known in Chinese as Zǐjìnchéng (紫禁城) or "Purple Forbidden City," served as the Chinese imperial palace from 1420 to 1912. For nearly 500 years, it was the political and ceremonial center of the Chinese empire, home to 24 emperors, and the most significant symbol of imperial power in the world.

Today, as the Palace Museum, it stands as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures on Earth and houses over 1.8 million priceless artifacts spanning Chinese history and culture.

Key Events

Historical Timeline

1

1406–1420

Construction Era

Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty ordered construction of the Forbidden City after moving the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Over one million workers labored for 14 years, using materials from across the empire including rare nanmu wood from Sichuan and marble from quarries throughout China.

2

1420–1644

Ming Dynasty

Fourteen Ming emperors ruled from the Forbidden City. The palace witnessed dramatic events including the fire of 1421 that destroyed the main halls, the Tumu Crisis of 1449, and the eventual fall of the dynasty. Major reconstructions occurred throughout this period.

3

1644–1912

Qing Dynasty

The Manchu-led Qing Dynasty took control of the Forbidden City and made it their own. Ten Qing emperors resided here, expanding the palace grounds and adding significant structures. The long reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong marked the peak of this era.

4

1912

End of Imperial Era

The Xinhai Revolution ended 2,000 years of imperial rule. The last emperor, Puyi, abdicated at age six. He was allowed to remain in the Inner Court until 1924 when he was expelled by warlord Feng Yuxiang.

5

1925–Present

Palace Museum Era

The Palace Museum was established on October 10, 1925, opening the Forbidden City to the public for the first time in its 500-year history. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and now welcomes millions of visitors annually.

Imperial Rulers

The 24 Emperors

Two dynasties, twenty-four rulers, and nearly 500 years of history shaped within these walls.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Fourteen Ming emperors called the Forbidden City home. Notable rulers include:

Yongle Emperor (1402–1424) — Built the Forbidden City and moved the capital to Beijing
Jiajing Emperor (1521–1567) — One of the longest Ming reigns, marked by religious devotion
Wanli Emperor (1572–1620) — 48-year reign, the longest of the Ming dynasty

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)

Ten Qing emperors ruled from the palace, bringing Manchu traditions while embracing Chinese culture:

Kangxi Emperor (1661–1722) — 61-year reign, the longest of any Chinese emperor
Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796) — Oversaw China's greatest territorial extent and cultural flourishing
Empress Dowager Cixi (1861–1908) — Though not an emperor, she effectively ruled China for 47 years
Puyi (1908–1912) — The Last Emperor, ascended at age 2 and abdicated at 6

By the Numbers

Fascinating Facts

980 Buildings

The palace complex contains 980 surviving buildings with over 8,700 rooms.

180 Acres

Covering 720,000 square meters, it's the world's largest palace complex.

1.8 Million Artifacts

The Palace Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of art and antiquities.

Explore Further

History of the Forbidden City