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The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City lies at the city center of Beijing. It is the largest palace complex in the world and once served as the imperial home of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During that time it was forbidden to enter without special permission of the emperor, hence its name 'The Forbidden City'.

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The entire complex consists of more than 8,700 rooms and is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family.