Forbidden City cats roam freely due to imperial traditions

The Forbidden City in Beijing is home to a population of free-roaming cats, often referred to in Chinese media as ‘palace cats’ or ‘imperial cats.’ While official figures from the Palace Museum are not publicly released, various reports suggest the population fluctuates between 100 and over 200 individuals due to births, adoptions, and natural deaths.

This unique presence is rooted in history dating back to the Ming Dynasty, when a specialized department known as the ‘Miao Er Fang’ was responsible for caring for cats within the palace. Today, museum staff continue this tradition by naming the cats, contributing to their popularity among tourists, who sometimes jokingly refer to them as ‘guards with claws.’