The abode of 24 Ming and Qing emperors of the Celestial Empire, the Forbidden City is a fittingly awe-inspiring sight. Enclosed behind its moat and 32.5 foot high walls are 980 buildings, vast courtyards and long corridors that occupy a total area of 178 acers. It is alleged that as many as 1,000,000 workers and 100,000 artisans participated in the construction of this imperial place .