The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Luxury cruise luxury holiday and flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday or flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday with flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour.

Introduction
History
Layout
Map
Getting there

The Meridian Gate (outside)
The Meridian Gate (inside)
The First Courtyard
@ The Gate of Supreme Harmony

The Second Courtyard
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (part 1)
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (part 2)
The Hall of Complete Harmony
The Hall of Preserving Harmony 

The Large Stone Carving 

The Gate of Celestial Purity
The Hall of Celestial Purity
The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
The Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility
The Imperial Garden 

The Exhibition Halls
The 9 Dragon Screen
Other Places of Interest 

Doorways
Pots
Sculptures
Decorative Tiles
Roofs and Ceilings
Windows and Doors
Other Details 

Sunset at the Forbidden City 

Beijing Guide 

Gallery Shop
(prints, tshirts, bags ...)

Sponsor this site
Email 

The Outer Court

So far we have entered the grand Meridian Gate and crossed the five bridges that span the Inner Golden River and the large first courtyard. Across this courtyard lies the Gate of Supreme Harmony. This marks the start of the Outer Court proper.

However, if one simply divides the Forbidden City into two parts - Outer Court and Inner Court - then we now head into the main part of the Outer Court.

The Outer Court consists of three grand halls sitting on a raised marble terrace. In front of the halls and terrace lies a courtyard and the gate to the Outer Court.

The Gate of Supreme Harmony

The Gate of Supreme Harmony (TaiHeMen), north of the first courtyard, is the main gate of the Outer Court.


Looking back to the Meridian Gate from the Gate of Supreme Harmony

The gate is guarded by a couple of bronze lions which aimed to show imperial dignity. The west one is male, with its front right paw resting on a ball, symbolizing imperial power extended worldwide.

The lioness on the east side has its front left paw on a lion cub, indicating a prosperously growing family and the never-ending secession of the imperial lineage.


Female lion


Male lion

The Gate of Supreme Harmony is an important place where emperors' wedding ceremonies were usually held. It leads to the three grand halls of the Outer Court.


One of the two side gates

Next

Luxury cruise luxury holiday and flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday or flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday with flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour.

Luxury cruise luxury holiday and flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday or flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday with flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday and flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday or flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday with flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday and flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday or flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour. Luxury cruise luxury holiday with flight Beijing to Great Wall, China tour.