What’s the relationship between the Forbidden City and the Palace Museum?

The Forbidden City and the Palace Museum refer to the same historical site but in different contexts.

The Forbidden City is the site of the imperial palace complex in Beijing, the construction of which started in 1406 and was completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It served as the residence and political center for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

The Palace Museum was established in 1925. It transformed the Forbidden City into a museum, preserving its architecture, imperial treasures, and cultural heritage for public exhibition.

In short, the Forbidden City is the historical imperial palace, while the Palace Museum is the institution that manages and showcases its cultural relics.