The Forbidden City (Chinese: Zi Jin Cheng; pinyin: Zijincheng) is a palace complex in Beijing, China, located in Dongcheng District, at the heart of the Imperial City of Beijing. It was here that Chinese emperors lived and held court for more than 500 years. The last emperor to live in the Palace was Puyi, who surrendered to the Japanese army after World War II. The Forbidden City is a large complex with an area of about. It is protected as a major historical site by China's government. The name "Forbidden City" is used because it was originally enclosed within a high wall, the "forbidden zone". This term still applies to its present day boundaries in terms of access by the public. The Forbidden City is best known for its enormous size, intricate design, and extensive collection of artwork and treasures. It also has many halls and rooms for state ceremonies and rituals. The original layout of the Forbidden City is not known with certainty since it has been greatly altered over time by various renovations and rebuildings. It is believed that some parts of the complex were built as early as 1403 but most likely was not completed until 1557.