Monday, September 24, 2001 – Beijing

Rudy in front of the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. This complex is a symbol of traditional China where for over 500 years its 9999 rooms, moats and courtyards were forbidden to the public.

Lying at the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong, in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tian'anmen Square. Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. The wall has a gate on each side.

Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions world wide.