The Forbidden City in Beijing is a vast palace complex that serves, in many ways, as the heart of traditional China. Constructed in 1420 during the reign of the early Ming Dynasty, it is the country's best-preserved imperial palace and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.

In this Online Experience, we will walk around the Forbidden City, thus named on account of being the abode of the 'Divine' Emperor. This meant that entry was forbidden for ordinary citizens back in the day. Today, however, we can freely explore this beautiful complex and understand more about the mythology and tradition behind its functions and construction.

We will begin our tour from the towering main gate of the palace. I will point to you the glazed yellow tiles and red paint that adorns all the buildings and gates within, and tell you more about the significance of these colours in relation to the functions of the palace. We will admire the unique wooden architecture closely, and I will regale you with the story of its construction, which was completed without the use of a single nail!

Moving along, we will visit the interior halls of the palace, where the Emperor once used to handle the affairs of the state. In here are also the lavish rooms that the emperor and his wives occupied for their personal use. As we take a look at these, I will tell you more about the lore surrounding the Emperor and his novel management of his many wives.

The Forbidden City is full of secrets and secret corridors that have persisted in all their glory since its heyday over 600 years ago. Join me on this tour and we will go through the best of them together!