This extraordinary urban complex of 800 palaces, temples and pavilions containing some 9 000 rooms presents a huge challenge for the millions of tourists who visit the Forbidden City. The seat of power and sacrarium of the Ming and Qing dynasties until 1911, the Forbidden City was built between 1404 and 1421. Everything here is a symbol and a spiritual representation of the universe, from the red roofs, the colour of joy, to the dragons which dispense good luck and which are dotted around the 70ha of this small city which was once home to 10 000 people, including courtesans and dignitaries of the regime, along with eunuchs and concubines.