About
The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, stands in the heart of Beijing at 4 Jingshan Front Street in Dongcheng District. It was the former imperial palace of China and is today a museum whose buildings and collections are as much a reason to visit as anything inside them.
What you will see
The complex is described as the largest palace complex in the world, with more than 9,000 rooms. Walking through its courtyards and halls gives a clear sense of how the imperial household was arranged, from the ceremonial areas to the more private quarters behind them.
Inside, the museum holds an extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts. Its displays showcase treasures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the two long periods during which the palace was at the centre of Chinese court life.
Planning your visit
- Why go: the scale of the architecture and the depth of the collection make it a rich day out for anyone interested in Chinese history or art.
- Recognition: the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Contact: you can reach the museum by telephone at +86-10-8500-7421 before you go.
Because the complex is so large, allow plenty of time to move between its halls and courtyards. The museum is a natural starting point for exploring the wider Dongcheng District, where the rest of central Beijing lies within easy reach.
