The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, China, is a vast imperial palace complex that served as the political and ceremonial centre of Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it housed 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City spans approximately 720,000 square metres and is renowned for its traditional Chinese palatial architecture, which adheres to the principles of feng shui. It was named the “Forbidden City” because access was restricted to the emperor, his family, and select officials. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.