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Many portions of the palace surviving today date back to the Ming Dynasty, while other portions date only back to the Qing, or to 20th century repairs or restorations. The vast compound includes the [[Qianlong Gardens]], constructed by the [[Qianlong Emperor]] (r. [[1735]]-[[1796]]) and designed in part by the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[Giuseppe Castiglione]]. Extensive conservation work has been undertaken by the World Monuments Fund in this part of the palace since 2001. It includes the ''Juànqínzhāi'', famous for its ''trompe l'oiel'' mural paintings and indoor theatre space.

Many portions of the palace surviving today date back to the Ming Dynasty, while other portions date only back to the Qing, or to 20th century repairs or restorations. The vast compound includes the [[Qianlong Gardens]], constructed by the [[Qianlong Emperor]] (r. [[1735]]-[[1796]]) and designed in part by the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[Giuseppe Castiglione]]. Extensive conservation work has been undertaken by the World Monuments Fund in this part of the palace since 2001. It includes the ''Juànqínzhāi'', famous for its ''trompe l'oiel'' mural paintings and indoor theatre space.

The palace was last occupied by members of the Imperial family in 1924, after which it came more completely under the control of the State.

The palace was last occupied by members of the Imperial family in 1924, after which it came more completely under the control of the State. The Palace Museum was opened within the palace a year later, on Oct 10, 1925.<ref>Guo Changhong, "The Qing Palace: from a Forbidden City to a Public Heritage," ''Museum International'' 60:1-2 (2008), 79.</ref>

==Layout==

==Layout==