Hall of Supreme Harmony

　　The Hall of Supreme Harmony is one of the “Three Great Halls of the East,” the largest existing wooden structure hall in China, commonly known as the “Golden Throne Hall.” It is situated at a prominent position along the central north-south axis of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Originally built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was called the Hall of Heavenly Purity (Fengtian Dian). In the 41st year of the Jiajing reign (1562), it was renamed the Hall of Imperial Supremacy (Huangji Dian), and in the 2nd year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1645), it received its current name. After its construction, it was burned down several times and rebuilt multiple times. The current structure dates back to its reconstruction in the 34th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1695).

　　The Hall of Supreme Harmony serves as the main architectural body and core space of the entire palace complex. It features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, sits atop a three-tiered white marble terrace, and is adorned with golden dragon and imperial-seal paintings. The roof is decorated with 11 roof ridge ornaments, including the mythical creature, and the hall has 11 bays, all reflecting the highest architectural standards. It is one of the largest existing wooden-structured buildings in China. In front of the hall lies a vast square that could accommodate tens of thousands of people for imperial ceremonies and celebrations, giving the entire palace an imposing grandeur. The plaque above the hall reads “建极绥猷” (Jian Ji Sui You), inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself, though the current plaque is a replica.

　　In 1416 (the 14th year of the Yongle reign), Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty issued an edict to relocate the capital to Beijing and ordered the construction of Beijing’s palaces modeled after those in Nanjing. In 1420 (the 18th year of the Yongle reign), the construction of the Beijing palaces was completed. A year later, a great fire broke out, and the Three Great Halls were burned down.

　　In 1440 (the 5th year of the Zhengtong reign), the Three Great Halls and the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong) were rebuilt. In 1459 (the 3rd year of the Tianshun reign), the Western Garden (Xiyuan) was constructed. In 1557 (the 36th year of the Jiajing reign), a fire engulfed the Forbidden City, destroying the Three Great Halls, the Hall of Heavenly Praise (Fengtian Men), the Hall of Literary and Military Merit (Wenwu Lou), and the Meridian Gate (Wu Men). Reconstruction was not completed until 1561.

　　In 1597 (the 25th year of the Wanli reign), another fire in the Forbidden City destroyed the Three Great Halls and the Three Rear Palaces. Reconstruction work continued until 1627 (the 7th year of the Tianqi reign).

　　In 1644 (the 17th year of the Chongzhen reign), Li Zicheng captured Beijing, leading to the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Before retreating to Shaanxi, Li Zicheng set fire to the Forbidden City, leaving only the Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying Dian), the Hall of Imperial Supremacy (Jianji Dian), the Hall of Literary Glory (Yinghua Dian), the Hall of Southern Breeze (Nanxun Dian), the surrounding corner towers, and the Gate of Imperial Supremacy (Huangji Men) unburned. The rest of the structures were completely destroyed. In the same year, Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty arrived in Beijing. Over the next 14 years, the central axis buildings were largely restored. Starting in 1683 (the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign), reconstruction began on the remaining destroyed parts of the Forbidden City, which was largely completed by 1695 (the 34th year of the Kangxi reign). In 1735 (the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign), Emperor Gaozong (Emperor Qianlong) ascended the throne, and over the following 60 years, extensive additions and renovations were made to the Forbidden City.

　　In 1813 (the 18th year of the Jiaqing reign), Lin Qing, a follower of the Heaven and Earth Society (Tianli Jiao), led an uprising and attacked the Forbidden City. In 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance captured Beijing. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising broke out, leading to the abdication of the Qing emperor. However, according to the terms of the agreement with the Republic of China, he continued to reside in the Forbidden City. In 1923, a fire broke out in the Palace of Established Happiness (Jianfu Gong).

　　Over the years, the Hall of Supreme Harmony became increasingly worn and dilapidated. Some structural components had rotted and could no longer support the hall, while the painted designs on the beams had faded severely. As a result, from 2006, a comprehensive “closed-door” restoration project began. After two years of restoration, by mid-July 2008, the Hall of Supreme Harmony re-emerged before visitors’ eyes. The restored hall shines brilliantly with gold and splendor, looking magnificent and resplendent.

　　Many people today assume the Hall of Supreme Harmony is regularly used for imperial court sessions, but that’s not the case.

　　In reality, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is mainly used for holding various grand ceremonies, and it is rarely used in practice. The actual places where Ming and Qing emperors conducted court sessions were primarily the Hall of Supreme Harmony Gate (Taihe Men), the Palace of Heavenly Purity Gate (Qianqing Men), the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong), and the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian)—not the Hall of Supreme Harmony as commonly believed. All 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held grand ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, such as imperial accession, royal weddings, empress consecration, and military commissions. Additionally, during the three major festivals each year—the Emperor’s Birthday, New Year’s Day, and the Winter Solstice—the emperor would receive congratulations from civil and military officials here and host banquets for nobles and ministers. In the early Qing period, the palace examination for newly selected scholars (palace grading) was also held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, though starting in 1789 (the 54th year of the Qianlong reign), it was moved to the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian), while the announcement ceremony (“Chuan Lu”) remained in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Regarding the location of imperial court sessions, they were generally not held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Throughout the Ming and Qing periods, emperors typically held court at the Hall of Supreme Harmony Gate or the Palace of Heavenly Purity Gate, in a practice known as “Yu Men Ting Zheng” (Imperial Gate Court Sessions). For more urgent or important matters, the emperor would summon ministers in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. During the late Qing period, Empress Dowager Cixi conducted court sessions from behind a screen in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

　　The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest and highest-ranking building in the Forbidden City. It is eleven bays wide and five bays deep, covering a floor area of 2,377 square meters, with a height of 26.92 meters. Including the terrace, its total height reaches 35.05 meters, making it the largest hall in the Forbidden City. In front of the hall lies a broad platform known as the “Danbi” (Imperial Steps), commonly referred to as the “Moon Terrace.” On the terrace are placed one sundial, one measuring vessel, a pair of bronze turtles, a pair of bronze cranes, and 18 bronze cauldrons. The turtle and crane symbolize longevity. The sundial is an ancient timekeeping device, and the measuring vessel is an ancient standard measurement tool—both representing symbols of imperial authority.

The Palace Museum

Palace of Purity (Zhongcui Gong)

Gate of Divine Might (Shenwu Men)

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian)

Hall of Imperial Supremacy (Huangji Dian)

Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying Dian)

Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong)

Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cining Gong)

Studio of the Three Rarities (Sanxitang)

Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian)

Palace of Longevity and Health (Shou’an Gong)

Imperial Garden

Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshou Gong)

Meridian Gate (Wu Men)