All About China

Forbidden City, also called Palace Museum or Gugong in Chinese, is located at the center of Beijing. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is to the north of Tian'anmen Square. Rectangular in shape, Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex. Forbidden City covers 74 hectares. Opposite the Tian'anmen Gate in the south, to the north is the Gate of Shen'wumen, which faces Jingshan Park. The Forbidden City is divided into two parts: The outer court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the inner court was where he lived with his royal family.