Exploring Beijing
The magnificent Forbidden City is the world's largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex. Surrounded by a formidable moat and wall are 9,999 rooms-just one short of the number that the ancient Chinese believed represents divine perfection. The Forbidden City is so called because it was off-limits for 500 years. It was home to two dynasties of emperors the Ming and the Qing, and functioned as the administrative centre of the country as well as being the pleasure home of the emperors and empresses.