The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, commonly known as the Imperial Royal or the Palace Museum, is a palace complex in Beijing dating from the 15th century. The Forbidden City, which spans 720,000 square meters and is well-preserved, is one of China's most famous tourist destinations and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors may witness a significant collection of artwork as well as religious and imperial items going back to the seventh century within the Forbidden City Museum. Audio guides are offered for a charge and excursions vary from two hours to a full day. The tour paths are available via a fun little application on the Palace Museum's official website.

The venue is closed on Mondays and can get quite busy during major holidays and celebrations, such as the summer and Chinese New Year. If you have the opportunity, climb the wall for spectacular views of the city. The Imperial Gardens are especially worth visiting because they give much-needed peace, quiet, and refuge from Beijing's rush and bustle. There's a lot to see, including buildings, gardens, museums, gates, walls, and treasures, so plan on spending the entire day exploring this massive and amazing complex.