The Imperial Palace in Beijing, also called Forbidden City, was the seat of the imperial power during the Ming (1368-1644) and Quing (1644-1911) dynasties. The Imperial Palace was built in 1420, and it was forbidden for the common people to enter it. Rectangular in shape and surrounded by a 10 meter high wall, it measures 960 meters from the North Gate (Shenwumen or Gate of Divine Might) to the South Gate (Wumen or Meridian Gate), and 750 meters from the East to the West wall.