Antiquarium of The Palace Museum

While the entire Forbidden City operates under the name “Palace Museum,” its treasures, artifacts and memorabilia are all housed within the Antiquarium. The museum is divided into galleries based on art form, including pottery, bronze, treasures, painting, clocks, jade and enamel. If the sheer size of the Forbidden City hasn’t convinced you of the wealth of China’s emperors, a look at some of their possessions will.

You’ll find the galleries housed in the buildings to the east and west of the Meridian Gate as you enter, and you’ll have to pay an additional fee to see some of the exhibits, like the Hall of Clocks, but it’s a small fee and it can be worth it to get away from the crowds and the Beijing heat during the summer months.