Part 1 of a two-part examination of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the ancient Chinese imperial palace. Included: its construction during the Ming Dynasty; its flaws; a fire that foreshadowed the fate of the city and the Ming Dynasty.

Conclusion. How a concubine of the Xianfeng emperor rose to become the de-facto ruler of the Qing Dynasty in the latter half of the 19th century. Included: her role in the dynasty's downfall.