Which ancient Chinese complex in Beijing served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors?

The Forbidden City in Beijing served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Construction began in 1406 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, and the principal palace complex was completed in 1420. It became the political and ceremonial center of imperial China, with access tightly controlled for court officials, servants, and visitors.

The complex contains hundreds of buildings arranged around formal courtyards and follows principles of traditional Chinese palace planning. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest surviving hall within the palace and was used for major ceremonies.

The name refers to the restricted access surrounding the imperial court, not to a permanent legal ban on all outsiders. The last emperor, Puyi, abdicated in 1912, but he continued living in the palace’s Inner Court until 1924. The site opened as the Palace Museum in 1925 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.