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Gate of Heavenly Purity

This view was taken looking north from beside the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The Hall is the last of three in the Outer Court of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

 

Beyond the Gate of Heavenly Purity is the Inner Court, which housed the official residences of the Emperor (the Palace of Heavenly Purity) and Empress (the Palace of Earthly Tranquility). Between the palaces is the Hall of Unity where the Emperor (Yang) and Empress (Yin) could meet in harmony.

 

The assemblage in the foreground is looking at a ceremonial ramp, part of the Imperial Way. This particular ramp is carved from a single piece of stone 16.57m long, 3.07m wide, and 1.7m thick. It weighs some 200 tonnes and is the largest such carving in China, featuring elaborate and symbolic bas-relief carvings.

 

In front of the Gate of Heavenly Purity can be seen two enormous brass bowls, which were used to burn incense. A further example can be seen through the right-hand door in the gate in the courtyard beyond. A pair of large Imperial guardian lions can also be (partially) seen in front of the gate.

 

Scanned from a negative.

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Uploaded on November 23, 2018
Taken on July 14, 1984