Dani & Leo go sightseeing in Beijing for the day. The first destination is the Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing. Dani explains the Chinese name for it, and what it literally means. It is the former palace of several Chinese dynasties who ruled China from here for centuries. The famous Tian'anmen square is also right outside the entrance to the Forbidden City and both locations are usually packed with tourists at busy times of the year.
Dani offers to be Leo's tour guide and to show him around the vast complex of buildings and squares inside the Forbidden City. There is a lot of interesting history and culture to absorb as you walk around inside. It is also a good idea to bring a map of the Forbidden City complex to ensure you don't miss any of the best sights. Leo learns the Chinese phrase to ask a local to take a photo for them, which will be very useful when sightseeing throughout China.
The Forbidden City is one of many UNESCO World Heritage sites in China. In 1406, the Emperor decided to move the capital from Nanjing in the South to Beijing in the North, and construction began on the new Palace complex. The site measures 178 acres and consists of 980 separate buildings surrounded by high walls and a man-made moat. The complex is laid out on a North to South axis and the order of each building and courtyard is carefully designed according to spiritual and ceremonial factors.
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