Have you ever visited the Forbidden City? This year is its 600th birthday. It is the world's largest palace and has over 17 million visitors every year. But if we traveled back to the past, we probably wouldn't be allowed inside.
In the past, all buildings in Beijing were low except for the Forbidden City. From outside, ordinary people could only imagine what it looked like inside.
The Forbidden City takes up 720,000 square meters in the heart of Beijing. It was built from 1406 to 1420 by the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the Yongle Emperor. After that, it was the living and working place of 14 emperors of the Ming Dynasty and 10 emperors of the Qing Dynasty.
During those times, the Forbidden City was where the country's supreme power could be found. Emperors were born, lived, fought and died there. It saw the highs and lows of the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as the end of feudal autocratic monarchy in China.
The cultural relics and documents in the palace show how the royal families lived. They are still used today for historical research, as well as inspiration for literature and entertainment.
In 1987, the Forbidden City was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For world leaders who visit China, it has become a must—see. In 2017, when US President Donald Trump paid a state visit to China, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed Trump and his wife there.
