a rightview on the Outer Courtyard
the Hall of Supreme Harmony
one of the marble bridges over the Inner Golden River that meanders from east to west through the courtyard
the entrance to the Meridian Gate, the southern entrance to the Forbidden City
a mighty warrior is led away
the buildings behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, end of the Outer Court
some of the many brass vats, originally filled with water to combat fire
the Hall of Preserving Harmony sports an impressive throne, but was closed because of too many visitors
these are the Hall of Complete Harmony and, to the back, the Hall of Preserving Harmony
past the gate you enter the real Outer Courtyard with the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the distance
the Outer Court of the Forbidden City
The Outer Court of the
Forbidden City is where the Emperor conducted grand ceremonies and met his taxpayers.
Visitors enter
from the south through the
Tiananmen Gate with Mao's portrait. then pass the Duanmen gate before arriving at the
Meridian
Gate, the actual entrance to the Forbidden City.
The first and largest one is the
Hall of Supreme Harmony, a huge wooden structure with a height of 30 meters. This
is where the Ming emperors held court.
We visited the Outer Court in 1991 and again in May 2004.
the Tiananmen Gate with a huge portrait of Mao
you can be an emperor for a small fee
the Gate of Supreme Harmony at the end of the first courtyard
a fearsome turtle stands guard
this Starbucks restaurant was closed in 2007 after pressure from locals
the view past the Hall of Supreme Harmony
