The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, China, was the imperial palace and political center of the country for over 500 years. It was home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, who ruled China from 1368 to 1912.
During this period, there were a total of 24 emperors who resided in the Forbidden City. The first emperor to live in the palace was Zhu Di, who commissioned its construction in 1406. He was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty and is also known as the Yongle Emperor.
After Zhu Di, 13 other Ming emperors resided in the Forbidden City, with the last one being Chongzhen Emperor, who ruled from 1627 to 1644. His reign marked the end of the Ming dynasty, which was replaced by the Qing dynasty.
The Qing dynasty had a total of 11 emperors who lived in the Forbidden City, with the first one being the Shunzhi Emperor, who ruled from 1644 to 1661. The last emperor to live in the Forbidden City was Puyi, who was the Xuantong Emperor and ruled from 1908 to 1912. He was the last emperor of China, as the monarchy was abolished after the Xinhai Revolution in 1911.
Today, the Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in China, attracting millions of visitors every year. While it no longer serves as the residence of the emperor, it remains a symbol of China’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Other facts about the Forbidden City
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- The differences between Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City
- Architectures and their styles in the Forbidden City
- Forbidden City and Versailles – Similarities and Differences
- How did the Forbidden City get its name?
- Symbolism in the Forbidden City
- How many buildings are there in the Forbidden City
- Why is the Forbidden City important?
- When was the Forbidden City built?