Meridian Gate
Meridian Gate is the front entrance to the Forbidden City. It was built in early 15^th century, and rebuilt twice in the 17^th and 19^th centuries.
The Meridian Gate is U-shaped in the plane, with the left and right wings extending forward. It has been evolved on the basis of the gates and watch towers of Han Dynasty. Seen from the front, it has three archways, while seen from the back, it has five archways. There is a central passage way, which was reserved for the use of the emperor, and a left gate for the use of officials and a right gate for the use of royal family members. On the wedding day of the emperor, the sedan chair carrying the queen could pass through the central passage way. And the top three in the palace examination could also leave the palace strutting through the central passage way. The two side gates were only opened for big events. The official lunar calendar used to be issued here in a special ceremony. When the armies returned in victory, a prisoners-offering ritual used to be held here. In the Ming dynasty, the emperors had the offensive officials flogged here. The stories about beheading the offensive officials out of Meridian Gate cannot be true, because it was impossible to turn such an important site into an execution ground.
On important occasions, a parade was conducted by guards of honor to mark the empepror’s dignity and stateliness.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Taihe Dian, is commonly referred to as Hall of Golden Chimes, Jinluan Dian. When it was dedicated as a new building in 1420, on the 18th year of the Yong Le reign, it was called the Hall of Heavenly Decrees, Fengtian Dian. In 1562, on the 41^st year of Jia Jing reign, it was renamed the Hall of Imperial Supremacy, Huangji Dian. In 1645, on the 2^nd year of Shun Zhi reign of Qing Dynasty, it was renamed the Hall of Supreme Harmony, its current name. It had been burnt down many times and rebuilt once and again. Today’s Hall of Supreme Harmony was rebuilt during the Kang Xi reign of Qing Dynasty.
The 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties used to hold grand rituals or ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, for example, enthronement, wedding, conferring the title of queen, sending armies to a battle. In addition, the emperor received the congratulations from officials here on his birthday, the New Year’s Day and Midwinter’s Day and bestowed a royal banquet to officials and royal family members. Early in the Qing Dynasty, the palace examinations were held also here. Since 1789, the 54^th year of the Qian Long reign, the palace examination began to be held in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Baohe Dian, with the ceremony of calling the names of the top three newly selected officials held still in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
      The hall is now displayed as it was in the midst of the normal court life.
Hall of Central Harmony
The Hall of Central Harmony- Zhonghe dian-was built in early 15^th century. It was named the Hall of Splendid Canopy, Huagai Dian in early Ming Dynasty. After a fire during the Jia Jing reign and reconstruction, it was renamed Hall of Central Supremacy, Zhongji Dian, which was written on the ceiling components of the hall and is still seen today. The current name was designated by Emperor Shun Zhi in 1645, the second year after the Qing rulers moved into the Forbidden City. The hall was named after a sentence in The Doctrine of Mean, Book of Rites-Centered: this is the great root of the world; Harmonious: this is the great Dao of the world, conveying the philosophy of using the Golden Mean to achieve universal peace and harmony. 　　　　　　
A lot of activities took place here. The Ming and Qing emperors used to receive obeisance from his officials here before presiding over grand ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Before offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, the emperor examined the sacrificial writings the day before the ceremony here. Before holding the ceremony of ploughing, the emperor used to examine the farm implements and seeds here. The emperor read the officials’ memorials on the imperial title of the empress dowager also here. When the genealogy was completed, it was submitted to the Hall of Central Harmony for the examination by the emperor. And also here a grand ceremony used to be held to place the genealogy.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
 
Hall of Preserving Harmony
Hall of Preserving Harmony was built in early 15^th century. It was first called Hall of Scrupulous Behavior, Jinshen dian. After a fire and reconstruction in the Jia Jing reign, it was renamed Hall of Establishing Supremacy, Jianji dian. Its current name was designated by Emperor Shun Zhi of Qing Dynasty.
In Ming Dynasty, the emperors used to change into ceremonial robes before attending a grand ritual here. In contrast, in Qing dynasty, the hall served as the wedding venue for Emperor Shun Zhi, and as a temporary residence for him and his successor, Emperor Kang Xi, when the three main halls in the Inner Court were under restoration. They both changed the name of the hall temporarily. On New Year's Eve and on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, emperors held banquets here to entertain heads of states, imperial kinsmen, and ministers higher than the second rank as well as the in-laws and families of officials. From 1789, every three years the Palace Examination was held here. 
      The building is displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
Palace of Heavenly Purity
Palace of Heavenly Purity, Qianqing gong, one of three palaces in the imperial residential area, was built in the early fifteenth century. Having been rebuilt several times after conflagrations, the current building is datable to 1798, the third year of the Jia Qing reign.
From 1368 to early Qing dynasty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was the place where emperors slept and worked. Their coffins were also put here for several days before burial to demonstrate their peaceful death in their own bed. Beginning in the Yong Zheng reign, that is, after 1735, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was no longer a residence. The Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yangxin dian, took over that function. However, emperors still conducted routine government business and conducted grand rituals here. “A banquet for a thousand elders”, Qiansou yan, was held here in the Kang Xi and Qian Long reigns.
Hanging high above the throne is a signboard inscribed with "Upright and Pure in Mind”, Zhengda guangming, handwritten by Emperor Shunzhi. The Yongzheng Emperor initiated the custom of placing the name of the heir apparent in a box that was hidden behind this signboard.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
Hall of Union
Hall of Union is one of the three palaces in the imperial residential area. It was first built during the Jia Jing reign of Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in 1655 and again in 1669. In 1797 this hall was burnt down by the fire spreading from Palace of Heavenly Purity, and was rebuilt again.
Inspired by the Book of Changes, the name of this hall signified unions of the celestial and the terrestrial, of Yin and Yang, and of upper and lower, leading to harmony and peace for all living things to prosper and thrive. 
Hall of Union was the place for the queen to receive greetings from her high-ranking subjects on major festivals. In 1748, Emperor Qian Long placed twenty-five imperial seals that represented imperial authority in this hall. In the first month of the lunar year, the emperor came here to burn incense and pay worships at an auspicious time. The copper clepsydra installed in the east room was put out of use after the reign of Emperor Qian Long. The mechanical striking clock in the west room set the standard for all the timepieces inside the Forbidden City. A signboard inscribed with the philosophical maxim "Non-interference” is hung above the throne. Emperor Shun Zhi placed an iron signboard in this hall with a strong admonishment: "The people in the inner courts are forbidden to interfere with political affairs”. On the wedding day of the emperor, the seal and appointment document of the queen were displayed on the two desks of the palace. The queen checked the implements for gathering mulberry leaves a day before the grand ceremony of worshipping silkworms.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
 
Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Palace of Earthly Tranquility was first dedicated in 1420, and burnt down twice in 1514 and 1596 and rebuilt in 1605. During Qing dynasty, the Palace was rebuilt in the Ming style in 1645, and remodeled into a Manchu-style palace in 1656. In 1797, this palace was burnt in part by the fire spreading from the Palace of Heavenly Purity and rebuilt in 1798.
In Ming Dynasty, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was built specially for the queen. After the remodeling in 1656, this palace served as the site of god-worshipping activities of shamans, though its status as the palace for the queen stayed unchanged. When Emperor Kang Xi got married in 1665, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was appointed by the Empress Dowager as the wedding hall for him; and similarly, when Emperor Tong Zhi and Emperor Guang Xu and even Emperor Pu Yi got married, their weddings were held here. After the reign of Emperor Yong Zheng, as the emperor moved to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the queen no longer lived in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. It had become in fact the site for god-worshipping activities by shamans.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
 
Hall of Mental Cultivation
Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yangxin Dian, was built in 1537. During the Kang Xi reign, this place used to be the workshops producing items for the use of the imperial family. Since Emperor Yong Zheng moved into Hall of Mental Cultivation, all the workshops had been gradually moved out of the inner court. This hall had been the residence of emperors until the end of Qing Dynasty. A total of 8 emperors had lived here.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation is "I"-shaped. The front hall consists of three unit sections, with the throne set at its center, over which a plaque “Justice and Benevolence” handwritten by Emperor Yong Zheng was hung. The east section was the place where the empress dowagers Cixi and Ci’an took charge of the state affairs behind a screen when the emperors Tong Zhi and Guang Xu were in their childhood. The west section was divided into several compartments. The compartment where the emperor read the memorials submitted by officials and talked secretly to officials was called “Hall of Diligence and Talents”. The compartment where Emperor Qian Long read books was called Sanxitang. There were also places for the emperor to worship Budhha and relax himself. The rear hall was the residence of the emperor, which consisted of five rooms. The rooms at the west and east ends were bedrooms, where the emperor could sleep as he wished. There were five wing rooms at each side of the rear hall. The wing rooms on the east were reserved for the queen, while those on the west were where the imperial concubines lived.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
 
Palace of Eternal Longevity
Palace of Eternal Longevity is one of the six western palaces in the inner court. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Palace of Eternal Joy, Changlegong. It was renamed Palace of Virtues in 1535 and renamed Palace of Eternal Longevity in 1616. Despite the reconstructions and renovations in 1655, 1697 and 1897, its original layout was maintained.
In Ming and Qing dynasties, this palace was the residence of important imperial concubines. After the reign of Emperor Guang Xu, the front and rear halls of this palace were converted into store houses.
Now it is the Relics Display Room of Palace Museum.
 
Hall of the Supreme Principle
Hall of the Supreme Principle, Taiji dian, is one of the western six palaces in the inner court. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Weiyang gong, palace of eternal night, serving as the residence of consorts and concubines. Later it was renamed Auspicious Palace in 1535 because Zhu Youyuan, the birth father of Emperor Jia Jing, was born here. In late Qing period, this palace was given its current name. It had been renovated for many times during the period.
In 1884, Peking opera had been put on show for half a month in celebration of the 50^th birthday of Empress Cixi. Far back in history, due to the fire in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Emperor Shen of the Ming Dynasty moved here temporarily. Later in modern China, before Pu Yi, the last emperor of Qing Dynasty was forced to abdicate and leave the palace, one of the important concubines of Emperor Tong Zhi used to live here.
      The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
 
 
Palace of Modest Ladies
Palace of Modest Ladies, Yikun gong, is one of the western six palaces in the inner court. It was the residence of imperial concubines in Ming and Qing dynasties. It was built in early 15^th century, and named Palace of Peace first and then given its current name in 1535. It went through many renovations in Qing period. It used to have two court yards. In late Qing, the rear hall of the palace was turned into a cross hall, and one of the wing rooms on both sides was turned into a passage way. As a result, Palace of Modest Ladies and Palace of Gathering Excellence were combined to form a four-court-yard layout. When Pu Yi, the last emperor of Qing Dynasty, abdicated, he built a swing in the veranda in front of the palace. The swing is now removed, with the beams for suspending the seat standing there still.　　
In the cross hall converted from the rear hall, Empress Cixi of Qing Dynasty received the congratulations and obeisance of the officials for her 50^th birthday when she moved to the Palace of Gathering Excellence. Emperor Guang Xu selected his concubines also here.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
Palace of Gathering Excellence
Palace of Gathering Excellence, Chuxiu gong, is one of the six western palaces in the inner court. It was the residence of imperial concubines in Ming and Qing dynasties. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Palace of Longevity and Prosperity and then given its current name in 1535. It went through many renovations in Qing period. In celebration of the 50^th birthday of Empress Cixi, 630,000 taels of silver were spent in renovating this palace. The reconstructed palace has stood up to the present time.
Impericial concubine Cixi used to live in the rear hall of this palace, and gave birth to a prince Zai Chun, who later was entrhoned as Emperor Tong Zhi. On her 50^th birthday, Empress Dowager Cixi moved back to this palace and renamed the rear hall Bower of Enchanting Scenery, Lijing xuan.
The building is now displayed as it was in the midst of normal court life.
Palace of Universal Happiness
Palace of Universal Happiness, Xianfu gong, is one of the six western palaces in the inner court. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Palace of Peaceful Longevity, and it was given its current name in 1535. It was rebuilt twice respectively in 1683 and in 1897.
 
Palace of Universal Happiness was the residence of imperial concubines. The front hall was for ceremonial use, and the rear hall was the bedroom. During the Qian Long reign, the emperor lived here occasionally. In the first lunar month of 1799, Emperor Qian Long passed away. Emperor Jia Qing stayed here to mourn his father until October the same year. After that, this palace was used again as the residence of consorts and concubines. In 1850, Emperor Xian Feng observed mourning for his father Emperor Dao Guang, and he continued to live here after the mourning period was over.
Palace of Great Benevolence
Palace of Great Benevolence, Jingren gong, is one of the six western palaces in the inner court. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Palace of Long Stability, Chang’an gong, and then given its current name in 1535. It was rebuilt in 1655, 1835, and 1890, with the original layout maintained.
In Ming Dynasty, it was the residence of imperial concubines. In March 1654, a baby was born here, who later became Emperor Kang Xi. In 1703, Emperor Kang Xi moved back here temporarily to mourn his brother who had just died. Since then, this palace had always been the residence of imperial concubines. The birth mother of Emperor Qian Long, the imperial concubine Wan of Emperor Xian Feng, and imperial concubine Zhen of Emperor Guang Xu had all lived here.
Palace of Celestial Favor
Palace of Celestial Favor, Chengqian gong, is one of the six western palaces in the inner court. When it was built in early 15^th century, it was named Palace of Eternal Serenity, Yongning gong, and then given its current name in 1632. It was rebuilt in 1655, and renovated in 1832, with the original layout maintained.
The palace was the residence of imperial consorts in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Consort Dong’e of Emperor Shun Zhi, and the queen and concubines of Emperor Dao Guang, and concubines of Emperor Xian Feng used to live here.

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