Tiren Pavilion

　　The Tiren Pavilion, situated on the eastern side of the front plaza of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, was originally constructed in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was initially known as the Literature Tower in the early Ming period, and renamed Tiren Pavilion in the early Qing Dynasty. In June of the 48th year of the Qianlong reign (1783), it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt the same year. Emperor Kangxi once held the Broad Learning and Eminent Scholars examination at the Tiren Pavilion to recruit talented scholars. After the Qianlong reign, it served as the silk storage warehouse for the Imperial Household Department.

　　The Tiren Pavilion stands 25 meters tall on an elevated base and has two stories, topped with a yellow-glazed tile hip-and-gable roof. The lower level features nine bays in width and three in depth. The central bay has double-leaf plank doors, while each of the three bays on either side is fitted with lattice windows of the "one row, three arrows" style. The two corner bays, gable ends, and rear eaves are enclosed with brick walls. The eaves are adorned with single-ang three-step bracket sets. One side of the lower level houses a series of columns—four square pillars supporting the upper-floor eaves. Horizontal railings connect these columns, allowing visitors standing on the balcony to enjoy distant views. The upper floor consists of seven bays and features corridors on all sides. The front eaves are fitted with 28 diagonal-lattice lattice windows. The corner bays, gable ends, and rear eaves are enclosed with wooden panels, reducing the load on the lower level. The eaves here are supported by double-ang five-step bracket sets, with six bracket arms.

　　The well-known statesman “Liu Luoguo,” or Liu Yong, once worked here. In April of the second year of the Jiaqing reign (1797), Emperor Qianlong appointed Liu Yong as Grand Secretary of the Tiren Pavilion. He frequented the pavilion and was later ordered to investigate the case of Heshen and his faction for corruption, abuse of power, and bribery.

　　Liu Yong, unafraid of powerful figures, quickly uncovered 20 charges against Heshen and his associates, including excessive taxation, extortion, and embezzlement for personal gain, which he reported to the imperial court. The emperor had Heshen executed and confiscated all his assets. Liu Yong was known for his integrity and dedication to the people’s welfare, earning widespread admiration. During the construction of dams and bridges, Liu Yong led the people and workers in hard work on the front lines.

　　Dressed plainly and eating simple meals, his favorite food was pancakes rolled with scallions—a reflection of his frugal official life. In contemporary plays, he is portrayed as a bitter yet comedic rival of Heshen, who often appeared bumbling and self-defeating in Liu’s presence.

　　This character embodies the ideals and aspirations of the Chinese people; he is a symbol of wisdom and justice.

　　The bricks on the plaza floor are laid in a haphazard pattern, stacked in 15 layers. Two rows of white stone slabs are embedded in the ground, narrower at the north and wider at the south, forming a V-shape. There are about 200 such slabs, spaced roughly every three feet, with one-foot square white stones called “ceremonial stands.”

　　During grand imperial ceremonies, ceremonial guards stood on these stands holding banners, umbrellas, halberds, axes, and other insignia. Senior civil and military officials knelt on either side of the imperial path on the Dan Chi (red stairway), paying homage to the emperor accompanied by music from the Zhonghe Shaoyue ensemble.

　　The Hall of Supreme Harmony plaza serves two purposes: to display the majesty of the imperial family and to awe and intimidate.

　　The irregular arrangement and lack of trees or flowers in the Hall of Supreme Harmony plaza were designed to prevent assassins from hiding. In addition to these measures, the plaza also contains large water vats. These vats stored water to guard against fires, especially important in Beijing’s dry winters and considering the wooden structure of the Forbidden City. Beneath each vat is a stone pedestal with a small opening on one side. During cold winds, the top is covered and insulated with quilts, while the bottom is gently heated to keep the water from freezing or evaporating. Thus, these vats served as effective firefighting equipment in the palace.

Palace Museum

Palace of Purity and Tranquility

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Gate of Divine Might

Hall of Preserving Harmony

Palace of Heavenly Purity

Hall of Martial Valor

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Health

Studio of the Three Rarities

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Peace

Imperial Garden

Palace of Eternal Spring