Photo: Mummyyx

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) Forbidden City, Beijing (map)

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most imposing building in the Forbidden City, was used for major public ceremonies such as the New Year's Banquet and the accession of a new Emperor. It was the most important palace hall in the most important city in the world, at least as far as the Ming and Qing emperors were concerned. It consists of 11 bays under a double-eaved hipped roof, a roof style that was only used for the grandest buildings. This and the other two halls of the outer court (the Hall of Complete Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony) are set upon a great three-tiered marble terrace, that rises 8m (26') above ground level. Its foundation extends an equal depth (8m) below ground. This construction both supported the great hall and prevented would-be malefactors from tunneling underneath the building.

The great square in front of the hall was thronged with court officials and envoys during major ceremonies, when all would kneel in order of rank at their assigned places.