The Forbidden City was the imperial palace in Beijing from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It was built in the early 15th century and housed 24 emperors over 500 years. After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, Puyi continued living there until being expelled in 1924. It is now a museum housing many imperial artifacts. The architecture followed a strict hierarchical code and no ordinary people were allowed within its walls during its time as an active palace.