The Forbidden City in Beijing is the heart of imperial China. It was built in 1420 at the beginning of the Ming dynasty. Today, it is the best-preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palace complex in the world.Known as the "Gugong" to the Chinese themselves, the Forbidden City is recognized as one of the most significant palaces in the world. Its magnificent halls and passageways are a vivid example of the distinctive features of Chinese architecture. The palace complex corresponds to the importance of the imperial residence located in the capital of the world's largest state.