How much did it cost to build the forbidden city in Chinese money?

The construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which began in 1406 and was completed in 1420, is estimated to have cost around 1 million taels of silver at the time. Adjusted to modern currency, this would be equivalent to several billion Chinese yuan, although exact figures can vary widely due to historical currency conversion challenges. The immense cost reflects not only the materials and labor involved but also the significance of the project as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties.