Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Don't Miss
Gate of Supreme Harmony
太和门
太和门
Your first stunning sight once inside the complex is the magnificent
Gate of Supreme
Harmony
, which stands guard over a huge courtyard which could hold 100,000 people.
The never-ending restoration work on the palace is a huge task; note how some of the
crumbling courtyard stones are stuffed with dry weeds.
Hall of Supreme Harmony
太和殿
太和殿
The most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City, the
Hall of Supreme
Harmony
is the first of the
Three Great Hall
s (
三大殿
) that make up the heart of the
Forbidden City. Inside is the richly decorated
Dragon Throne
from which the emperor
would preside on ceremonial occasions.
Hall of Middle Harmony
中和殿
中和殿
The smaller
Hall of Middle Harmony
was used as the emperor's transit lounge. Here he
would make last-minute preparations, rehearse speeches and receive close ministers. On
display here are two Qing dynasty sedan chairs, the emperor's mode of transport around
the Forbidden City. The last Qing emperor, Puyi, used a bicycle to get around.
Hall of Preserving Harmony
保和殿
保和殿
Used for banquets and later for imperial examinations, this hall has no support pillars. To
its rear is a 250-tonne marble imperial carriageway carved with dragons and clouds,
which was transported into Beijing on an ice path. The outer housing surrounding the
Three Great Halls stored gold, silver, silks, carpets and other treasures.
