The Forbidden City
Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, you should definitely visit the Forbidden City which was home to 14 different emperors and served as the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty. Covering a surface area of about 150,000 square meters, and with over 8,728 rooms, 980 buildings, 90 palaces, and courtyards, the Forbidden City is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This magnificent fortress was built to protect the emperor, scare his enemies, and lay emphasis on his position as heaven's representative on Earth. And that’s the feeling it still inspires centuries later. The Forbidden City is separated from the rest of Beijing by water, ensuring there’s no direct connection with the rest of the city. It is one of the most iconic spots of Beijing and China.
Surrounded by thick walls, hundreds of windows, and doors, you’ll never be able to tell which way is out and which is in or remember the entrance you used. The Forbidden City is as much a labyrinth as it is a fortress and a mindblowing one at that, which is why it is a city that you should definitely travel through.
