In ancient China, it was easy to tell who was rich. From head to toe, the wealthiest had the finest clothes.
Members of the royal family and high-ranking officials dangled jade, gold, or silver bracelets from their arms. They ate more food, and it tasted better. They also had more leisure time.
China’s richest man was the emperor. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the emperor lived in an area that was off limits to ordinary people—the Forbidden City. None except the emperor could enter it at night. Today, its many palaces are open to the public.
