Starting from ceasing to be imperial palace: Rebirth of the Forbidden City

First time for the Palace Museum: No longer an imperial palace

On Nov 5, 1924, the last emperor of China, Emperor Xuantong (r. 1909-11) or Puyi, was driven out of the Forbidden City along with his family under the escort of the regional commander-in-chief Lu Zhonglin (1884-1966) and other military police. Leaving through the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men), he moved to Prince Chun's Mansion (the residence of his biological father) near Shichahai in Beijing. From that moment, the Forbidden City ceased to function as an imperial palace.

For the first time in over 500 years, the palace's gate no longer guarded an emperor. Instead, it began its transformation into the contemporary museum we know today – the Palace Museum.