The Forbidden City, today called the Palace Museum stands on the central axis of the capital, running from the Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell-and-Drum Towers in the north. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the region of Emperor Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty, the palace area, 960 meters from north to south and 760 meters from east to west, is surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall and a moat 52 meters wide. The building contained 9,999 and a half rooms (today 8,700 still exist). The layout is symmetrical, symbolizing the supreme power of the feudal monarchy, and illustrating the fine traditions and unique style of Chinese architecture.
