There are so many parts to the Forbidden City that you sometimes don't appreciate the individuality of everything you are seeing. I found the inner court to be the most interesting, many because of the history and this was the "centre" where most of the everyday activities occurred. Certainly worthwhile to take your time and just wander through at your pace. Best to have a private guide who will allow you to move at your pace, instead of being rushed through.

If the Outer Court of the Forbidden City, was meant to demonstrate all of the pomp and majesty of China's royalty, then the Inner Court was intended to allow the emperor and his family to find a peaceful sanctuary to live and work. The contrast between the great gates and halls of the Outer Court, which were designed to be huge, imposing and powerful structures, and the Inner Court's smaller and more intimate buildings, often interspersed with gardens and greenery, could not be more stark. While it's well known that the empress dowager, and the imperial concubines all lived here (and often schemed at each other), some of the other buildings here were also used as venues for lesser banquets, study halls, and administrative offices.