The Forbidden City is located on Beijing Central Axis, with the Jingshan Hill as the backdrop to the north and the complex of the Tian'anmen, Upright and Meridian Gates forming a continuous ceremonial space to the south. Walls surround the palace city on four sides, with a gate on each side, and a turret at each of the four corners of the palace city. Tongzi River encircles the walls outside. All the buildings of highest-grade of architectural design and vital functions are on the Axis, embodying the principle of "choosing the center." The Three Main Halls, comprising the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, stand in the middle portion; and the Back Three Palaces comprising the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility command the quarters in the north portion. The layout of the halls forms the pattern of "court in the front, dwelling in the back”. The Hall of Literary Brilliance Complex, the Hall for Ancestral Worship Complex, and the Six Eastern Palaces Complex in the east section, and the Hall of Martial Valor Complex, the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility Complex, and the Six Western Palaces Complex in the west section are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the Axis.

The Forbidden City complex is rigorously defined and majestic in form and appearance. The Meridian Gate is the main south gate of the Forbidden City. North of the Meridian Gate is the Gate of Supreme Harmony, sitting on a white-marble foundation. This is the front gate of the Outer Court. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is ranked among the highest-grade of design on Beijing Central Axis. The Inner Court in the middle section comprises the Back Three Palaces and the Imperial Garden, with a smaller scale and slightly lower-grade architectural design than the Outer Court. The Gate of Heavenly Purity is the front portal. The architectural sequence of the Forbidden City in the middle section ends with the Gate of Divine Prowess. The building complexes on both sides of the middle section are similar in layout. They are also divided into the Outer and Inner Courts. On the east side, the Outer Court features the Hall of Literary Brilliance Complex, symmetrical with the Hall of Martial Valor Complex on the west side.

The Forbidden City was the palace city of the Ming and Qing dynasties, where the emperors lived and administered state affairs. The Outer Court of the Forbidden City, built according to a strict etiquette system, demonstrated a strict and unequivocal hierarchical order. Meanwhile, the Inner Court exhibited the imperial family's desire for life, entertainment, and recreation while maintaining the hierarchical order, which complemented the solemnity of the ceremonial Outer Court. Today, the Forbidden City has become a museum and research institute integrating display, research, conservation, tourism management and other functions.