Visit The Forbidden City in Beijing China with TourChina.com

The ancient Chinese imperial palace in Beijing, known as The Forbidden City was built in the 15th century and was hope to the great emperors of China for almost five centuries. The construction of the palace took 15 years and over a million workers and it is not only a remarkable historical structure but a work of art. It covers over 700,000 square meters and features some breathtaking examples of traditional Chinese architecture.

For many years the Forbidden City was the center of all political life and much of the cultural life in the Chinese empire. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors many unique treasures and an exquisite taste of majestically Chinese heritage. The Forbidden City is a popular tourist attraction. However, with over 920 preserved buildings, over 8700 rooms and numerous gates, gardens and artistic masterpieces it is an endless source of exploration, and it is best if you come prepared.

The Forbidden City has two main parts - The Inner Court which was the former residence of the Chinese Emperor and his household and was the center of day to day political life, and The Outer Court that was traditionally used for ceremonial purposes and for the conduct of foreign affairs. While the city of Beijing, as many other metropolitans in China, has been speedily modernized in the last decades, the Imperial Palace remained mercifully preserved. It suffered some damages over the years, but was mainly protected from becoming a shop-packed, renovated tourist destination. Protected by the Palace Museum, it is one of the few places in China today that still looks as it did centuries ago.

Remember, however, that this magical place is far from being a well-guarded secret. With millions of visitors scouting through the area every year the courtyard can be somewhat noisy and crowded. Try and arrive to the place at early morning (around 8:30), just as the gates open, and you may enjoy the quiet magnitude of the place in silence and avoid some of the discomfort.

There are over a million artifacts and collections found in the palace. These include paintings, statuses and masterpieces made of ceramics, bronze and jade. Most of the place is open for visitors all throughout the year and it has so many things worth seeing that you can easily spend there a day or at least several hours.

If you want more information regarding the Forbidden City, try chinavista.com or beijingtrip.com for more details.