Beijing is officially designated the capital of the Ming dynasty when the Forbidden City is completed.

The Forbidden City is located in the heart of Beijing, China. Specifically, it lies at the center of Beijing’s historic district and is adjacent to Tiananmen Square to its south. This iconic complex served as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years, from 1420 to 1912, and housed Chinese emperors, their families, and government officials.

Covering about 180 acres and enclosed by a large wall and a moat, the Forbidden City is a sprawling complex that includes over 980 buildings. It was called the “Forbidden City” because entry was restricted to the imperial family, government officials, and select attendants, making it off-limits to the public for centuries.

Today, the Forbidden City is open to the public as part of the Palace Museum, one of the most visited cultural sites in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It showcases traditional Chinese architecture and imperial artifacts, offering a window into China’s imperial history.