Closed to the outside world for 500 years when it was seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City is the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world, according to UNESCO, and a treasure trove of Chinese architecture, art and gardens that takes a whole day to explore. Covering 74 hectares (over 180 acres), it is now known as imperial Palace Museum or Gu Gong (Former Palace). It is surrounded on three sides by imperial gardens and one by Tiananmen Square. Inside its walls and moat are nearly 9,000 rooms in over 800 buildings. The complex is under constant renovation so expect to find some areas off limits. If you're traveling independently, get there as close to 8:30 am as possible - especially during holidays - as tickets are limited.