Established on October 10, 1925, the Palace Museum is located in the Imperial Palace (the Forbidden City) of two consecutive dynasties, the Ming and the Qing dynasties. It is the largest museum in China that combines architecture, art collections, and the rich palace history and culture.

The Palace Museum [Photo via tuchong.com] 

The Forbidden City, where the museum is located, covers an area of 106.09 hectares and is the single largest and best-preserved ancient palace complex of wooden construction in the world, and represents the pinnacle of traditional Chinese official buildings. The Forbidden City, with its organized layout and magnificent architectural complex, is recognized as the most emblematic symbol of traditional Chinese culture both internationally and domestically.

In 1961, the State Council designated the former imperial residence as one of China's Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. In 1987, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, the Palace Museum is the most-visited museum and world heritage site in the world, with 17 million visitors annually.

At the turn of the century, the Palace Museum carried out a meticulous inventory of its cultural relics. At present, the total number of cultural relics in the collection amounts to 1,862,690 pieces. Meanwhile, the Palace Museum has carried out extensive renovation of ancient buildings based on the principle of "complete protection and comprehensive maintenance".

In recent years, the Palace Museum initiated the "For a Safe Palace Museum" project and established the Institute of Gugong Studies, the Palace Museum Academy, and the Forbidden City Hospital for Cultural Relics. These initiatives will provide better protection for the cultural relics and their display, as well as more widely disseminate the culture surrounding the palace and the study of it.

By continuously expanding and enhancing its displays, the Palace Museum has given cultural relics the dignity they deserve, highlighting their historical, artistic, and scientific significance. In addition, the Palace Museum has made a great effort in application of digital technologies. Visitors can experience the culture of the Forbidden City and the charm of Chinese civilization through its official website, virtual exhibitions, and Forbidden City-related APPs.