This was the portal through which Chinese emperors emerged from their palace, the Forbidden City, to meet the people.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

The popular royal dish moved with the court to Beijing in the early 15th Century and the many cooks who made a pilgrimage to the new palace kitchens of the Forbidden City to impress the emperors refined it over time.

BBC: The melting pot of Chinese cuisine

There is the Forbidden City, which is the ancient imperial palace where dozens of Chinese emperors ruled the country for 500 years.

CNN: April 10, 2012 -- Updated 1353 GMT (2153 HKT)

Linked Hybrid is sited just 2.5 miles from the Forbidden City and its residents can apparently see into the former palace on a "clear day, " Holl tells CNN.

CNN: Beijing embraces Brave New World of buildings