Clarifying the Forbidden City: It's a Palace in Beijing, Not the City Itself

Clarifying the Forbidden City: It's a Palace in Beijing, Not the City Itself

Beijing the city is not called the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng) is a specific imperial palace complex located at the heart of Beijing. It served as the home of emperors and the political center of China during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. The name "Forbidden City" derives from the fact that access was forbidden to ordinary citizens without imperial permission. Today, it is the Palace Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world's most visited museums.