The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, a 15th century grand architectural marvel, is divided into an inner and outer court, forming a rectangle several thousand feet long and wide, with a moat that surrounds all the four sides. Millions of workers laboured for 16 years to erect this breathtaking estate secured by five huge gates. The famed Ming Dynasty was a resident of this palace from 1420 until 1644, and later the heads ++of the Qing Dynasty occupied it till the early 20th century. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and today the entire complex is part of the Palace Museum. Visitors can feast their eyes on a number of ancient fans, artefacts and antique works of Chinese artists. History buffs can appreciate the interiors of this mansion, whereas the culturally and spiritually inclined can witness the melange of Taoism, Manchu shamanism, and Tibetan Buddhism.