Gate of Great Harmony
Built in 1430, destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1629, Tai He Men stands on a foundation 3.44 meters high and covers 1100 square meters of floor space. In front of the gate is an open square where five marble bridges cross over the golden river. Tai He men in the Ming dynasty was where the emperor often came to listen to ministers, reports on state affairs and to make formal decisions.
Tai He Dian
Hall of Great Harmony
The hall of Great Harmony, popularly called Jin Luan Dian (Hall of the Imperial Throne) was first built in 1420. The present hall was rebuilt in the reign of the Qing Emperor Kangxi. It is on a foundaton 35.05 meters high and covers 2,377 square meters. Here the Ming and Qing emperors held important ceremonies to mark ancestor's birthdays, the lunar new year, the winter solstice, or the publication of the list of successful candidates of the imperial examinations.
