Hall of Heavenly Purity

Hall of Heavenly Purity

was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and handled daily state affairs in the Forbidden City. It is the foremost of the Three Rear Palaces, located inside the Gate of Heavenly Purity. "Qian" means heaven, and "Qing" means clarity. The first meaning symbolizes a perfectly clear sky, untainted and unclouded, representing national stability; the second symbolizes the emperor's conduct being as open and transparent as the clear sky, with nothing to hide.

The Hall of Heavenly Purity is the main hall of the inner court of the Forbidden City and one of the Three Rear Palaces. It is nine bays wide, five bays deep, 20 meters high, and features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof. In the center of the hall is an imperial throne, with heated chambers at both ends. Originally built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420), the hall was reconstructed several times after being destroyed by fire during both the Ming and Qing dynasties. The current structure dates back to the 3rd year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing Dynasty (1798).

The Hall of Heavenly Purity was where the emperor handled daily government affairs and reviewed various memorials. Later, it was also used to receive foreign envoys.

The Hall of Heavenly Purity has a yellow-glazed tile double-eaved hip-and-gable roof and sits atop a single-tier white marble platform. The connected corridor is nine bays wide and five bays deep, covering a floor area of 1,400 square meters. From the platform to the main ridge, it stands over 20 meters tall, with nine ridge beasts placed on the roof corners. The upper eaves feature a single-curved, double-angled seven-tier bracket set, while the lower eaves are supported by brackets as well. The hall is richly painted in traditional colors and decorated elaborately. The interior space is lofty and open, significantly increasing the usable area inside. The beams and brackets are connected with brackets and arches. Decorative paintings adorn the ceiling, featuring auspicious designs. The central bay has a raised platform leading to a high terrace connected by a walkway to the Gate of Heavenly Purity.

The Hall of Heavenly Purity is the largest building in the inner court. Fourteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty and two emperors of the Qing Dynasty—Shunzhi and Kangxi—used it as their residential palace where they lived and managed daily affairs. As the sleeping quarters for Ming emperors, from Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) to Emperor Chongzhen (Zhu Youjian), a total of 14 emperors resided here. Historical records indicate that after the Renyin Palace Coup during the Jiajing reign, when more than ten palace maids attempted to strangle Emperor Jiajing while he slept, Emperor Shizong moved to the Western Garden and dared not return to live in the Hall of Heavenly Purity. The Incident of the Removal of Consort Li, the mother of Emperor Taichang, also took place here. Before the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the practices followed those of the Ming. During the Shunzhi and Kangxi reigns, the Hall of Heavenly Purity was closely associated with governance. The emperor studied here, reviewed memorials, summoned ministers, received foreign envoys, and held inner court ceremonies and family banquets. After Emperor Yongzheng moved to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Hall of Heavenly Purity became an important venue for receiving court officials, reviewing memorials, handling daily state affairs, meeting envoys from tributary states, and holding seasonal celebrations and banquets. Some routine administrative offices, including the princes' study rooms, were also relocated to the surrounding corridors. This greatly enhanced the functional use of the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

Above the throne in the main hall of the Hall of Heavenly Purity hangs a plaque inscribed with the words "Justice and Brightness" (正大光明), personally written by Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty. Behind this plaque was hidden the "Imperial Succession Box" used for the secret designation of the crown prince. At that time, the struggle among princes to seize the throne was intense. To ease this conflict, starting from the Yongzheng reign, the method of secret succession was adopted. That is, the emperor would not publicly designate a crown prince during his lifetime but would secretly write the name of the chosen successor. One copy was kept by the emperor himself, and the other was sealed in the Imperial Succession Box behind the "Justice and Brightness" plaque. After the emperor’s death, the regents would retrieve the box and compare it with the emperor’s private copy to confirm and announce the successor. Emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng all ascended the throne following this system. In the later Qing period, since Emperor Xianfeng had only one son and Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu had none, this method of secret succession lost its significance.

Scenic Spot Location

Inside the Palace Museum, 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

The Ming Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di (1360–1424) was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He was the fourth son of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, born in Yingtian (present-day Nanjing). He was involved in military campaigns and was granted the title of Prince of Yan. Later, he launched the Jingnan Campaign to overthrow his nephew, Emperor Jianwen, and seized the throne. Initially posthumously honored as "Emperor Taizong," over a hundred years later, Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong renamed him "Emperor Chengzu." His reign is also known as the "Yongle Era."

A native of Fengyang, Anhui, Zhu Di was granted the title of Prince of Yan in the 3rd year of the Hongwu reign (1370). He once lived in Fengyang and gained a good understanding of local conditions. In the 13th year, he was stationed in Beiping (now Beijing)...   More details about Zhu Di ++

Emperor Qianlong, Aisin Gioro Hongli (September 25, 1711 – February 7, 1799), was the sixth emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He reigned for 60 years and effectively ruled for 63 years and 4 months, making him the longest-living and longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. Along with his father Yongzheng and grandfather Kangxi, Qianlong ushered in the "Prosperous Age of Kangxi and Qianlong." During his reign, he consolidated and developed a unified multi-ethnic nation, suppressed rebellions such as the Dzungar and the Big and Small Hozha uprisings, stabilized Tibet, and developed water conservancy and Han scholarship...   More details about Aisin Gioro Hongli ++

Emperor Jiaqing, Aisin Gioro Yongyan (November 13, 1760 – September 2, 1820), was the seventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Originally named Yongyan, he was the son of Emperor Qianlong. In 1796, Qianlong abdicated in favor of Jiaqing, but Jiaqing did not assume full power until after Qianlong’s death. During his reign, he punished corruption, reformed the bureaucracy, and suppressed the White Lotus Rebellion, but he maintained isolationist policies. Issues such as opium smuggling prevented any reversal of the Qing Dynasty’s decline. In 1820, Yongyan died suddenly at the Chengde Mountain Resort at age 61. His posthumous title was "Emperor Shoutian Xingyun..."   More details about Aisin Gioro Yongyan ++

Emperor Daoguang, Aisin Gioro Minning (September 16, 1782 – February 25, 1850), originally named Mianning, was the eighth emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the only one to inherit the throne as the eldest legitimate son. During his reign, he suppressed the Dzhangar rebellion, reorganized the bureaucracy, reformed the salt and grain transport systems, and banned opium, but could not reverse the decline of the Qing Dynasty. In 1840, the Opium War broke out, and the Treaty of Nanking was signed. Thereafter, Daoguang became increasingly resigned to decline. He died in 1850 at age 69. His posthumous title was...   More details about Aisin Gioro Minning ++

Emperor Xianfeng, Aisin Gioro Yizhu (July 17, 1831 – August 22, 1861), was the ninth emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the last emperor in Chinese history to hold real power. During his reign, he was diligent in governance, sought advice widely, and promoted talented individuals. He suppressed the Taiping Rebellion and initiated the Self-Strengthening Movement, but his reign ended with a series of unequal treaties that further reduced China to semi-colonial status. He died in 1861 at age 31. His posthumous title was "Emperor Xie Tian Yi Yun..."   More details about Aisin Gioro Yizhu ++

Palace Museum

Palace of Purity and Harmony

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Gate of Divine Might

Hall of Preserving Harmony

Hall of Martial Valor

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

Palace of Longevity and Health

Studio of the Three Rarities

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Peace

Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City

Palace of Eternal Spring

the Meridian Gate

the Hall of Literary Glory

the Hall of Benevolence and Virtue

the Gate of Supreme Harmony

the Hall of Imperial Ancestors