Our Trip to Beijing Municipality, China

2. Forbidden Palace

The Forbidden City or Gugong a maze of palaces, each with its own walls, was built between 1417 and 1420 and covers 73 hectares. It was the seat of government and the residence of the Emperor and his family. The roofs are golden tile and no one else was allowed to use that color. Off to the left is the Median Gate. After that courtyard, you cross the Golden Stream and the next building is the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen). The Taihemen is the largest building in the Forbidden City. This hall is the formal throne room used on the emperor's birthday and for major festivals, and no woman, not even the Dowager Empress Ci Xi, ever set foot in it.