![]() ![]() ![]() Behind it is a smaller hall named Jiaotaidian (Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union), where empresses received greetings from others concubines. The first hall inside the Qianqingmen is Qianqinggong - Palace of Celestial Purity, which was originally the bedroom of emperors as well as their office. Xiliugong ( Six Western Palaces) and Dongliugong ( Six Eastern Palaces) are also important structure compl exes, where the emperors' concubines lived. The three halls on the center axis are the main structures and they are smaller in size than the three halls in the Outer Court, although they look the same in style. The Inner Court is divided into three parts. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi often heard reports from high officials and issued his orders under the gate. Inside the gate, the royal family resides. Getting out of the Baohedian, visitors will see Qianqingmen ( Gate of Celestial Purity), which is the boundary of the Outer Court and the Inner Court. Emperors presided the final stage of national examinations to select officials from intellectuals all over the country in this hall. Imperial banquets were often given here to entertain high officials. It was the place where the emperor rested on his way to Taihedian and interviewed his ministers or officials from the Ministry of Rites and rehearsals for ceremonies were also held here.īaohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony), the second largest architecture in the palace, is the rear hall of the Outer Court. Nanxundian (South Fragrance Hall) near Wuyingdian is where portraits of emperors of dynasties are kept.īehind Taihedian is Zhonghedian (Hall of Central Harmony), a square building much smaller than Taihedian. The library architecture has many Chinese cultural facts in its structure and decoration. On the north of Wenhuadian lies Wenyuange (Pavilion of Literary Source), the imperial library where the world largest encyclopedia Sikuquanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasures of Knowledge) was housed. The latter, on the left side, is the imperial press where many books were compiled and published and where Li Zicheng, the famous peasants uprising leader, ascended his throne after overthrowing the Ming dynasty. The former, on the right side, used to be the study of the crown princes, where banquets and some rites were held. The hall was flanked by Wenhuadian (Hall of Literary Glory) and Wuyingdian (Hall of Martial Velour). It is the place where emperors ascended the throne and granted formal interviews to officials and important events were celebrated. The first and grandest hall is Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), where emperors executed their autocracy over the whole country. ![]() The ramp of Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony) is the largest one. A stone ramp carved with coiled dragons and clouds locates in the middle of the steps leading up to each hall. These halls all sits on three-tier marble terraces, with marble balustrades decorated. The three main halls of the outer court, Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), Zhonghedian (Hall of Central Harmony) and Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony) sit in line inside the gate. On the square between Taihemen and Wumen, imperial honor guards proceeded preparation before grand ceremonies. Standing on the bridges, one can see a grand structure called Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony), which is the most marvelous gate in the city and guarded by a couple of bronze lions in front. Decorative marble columns and banisters were established along the river. The riverbed and the bank were paved with white stones. The GoldenWaterRiver of this section is very gorgeous, well decorated. Water flows beneath these white marble bridges. Inside the Meridian Gate, there appear Inner Golden Water Bridges. It's the main gate and south gate of the Forbidden City. It is also named Five-PhoenixTower, Wufenglou in Chinese, for it looks like a phoenix with five pavilion buildings up there. Now start your tour in the Forbidden City from Wumen, called Meridian Gate in English. Now I will take you for a virtual tour around the mysterious palace complex. Since the Forbidden City, as you know, has more than 9,999 buildings, it is very easy to get lost for one who is not familiar with Chinese architectural layout though it is definitely symmetrical. ![]()
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