We spent a good part of the day visiting these two locations, which are right next to each other.  The square itself is comprised of both the flat piece of land you see all  the time in the middle of the square and several major buildings on the outside edge.

The Forbidden Palace next door is actually a palace within another palace and parks.   For centuries few people were even allowed into the outer palaces and 99% of those people never got to go into the “forbidden palace” where only the true royals of the time where allowed.  This complex is immense, and it seems to go on forever.  We started at the front entrance and worked our way all the way through to exit at the back where our bus was waiting.  I’m sure glad we didn’t have to go all the way back,

There are no words to describe the place.  Like the rest of Asia, the government keep these places well maintained and the colors are amazing.