Part 6/14:
Asia introduces us to the immense Forbidden City, a palace complex that served as the home for Chinese emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. Covering approximately 1.61 million square feet, with 980 buildings and about 9,000 rooms, this sprawling citadel resembles a fortified world within walls. Designed with a strict ceremonial layout, the southern sections housed grand halls for rituals and governance, while the northern side contained more intimate residential courtyards. Its golden roofs, red walls, marble plazas, and intricate details reflect imperial grandeur. Life inside was highly ritualistic, with living quarters for the emperor and his family isolated from the outside world. After the fall of the monarchy in 1912, it was opened to the public and now functions as a museum, drawing millions annually to witness this ancient emblem of imperial power.