Forbidden City Palace of Celestial Purity (Qianqinggong)

Separated from the Outer Court by a wide piazza (200 metres east to west and 30 metres north to south) stands Qianqingmen, The Gate of Celestial Purity. This open space provides a link between the Outer and Inner Courts while creating a dramatic setting for imperial pageantry.

During the Qing dynasty the emperor would be enthroned under the centre of this gate for the purpose of receiving reports and giving his decisions on matters presented to him. Small buildings on either side were duty rooms for officials and waiting rooms to accommodate ministers awaiting interviews, etc.

Against the red wall beside gate there are ten huge gleaming, gilded bronze vats. Although these are decorative, their prime function was to contain the vast amounts of water necessary to fight any outbreak of fire in the many timber buildings. Each of these vats weighs four tons and would contain over two hundred gallons of water. There is a total of three hundred and eight vats spread around the Forbidden City, twenty-two of which are of the same design as those seen by this gate.

Inside Qianqingmen (Gate of the Celestial Purity), you will see Qianqinggong, the Palace of Celestial Purity, this was the sleeping quarters of the emperors.

The Palace of Celestial Purity is a smaller version of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. As it was deemed inferior to the Hall of Supreme Harmony everything within it is smaller than similar items in the superior palace. However, it is the largest palace in the Inner Court and it is superior to any other structures there. It was built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1798 as a consequence of fire damage Ming emperors and the first two Qing emperors lived in this palace where they attended to daily affairs of state.

Here they also read, and signed documents, interviewed ministers and envoys. Occasionally, banquets and other ceremonies would be held here too. Twice, in 1722 and 1785, a 'Banquet for A Thousand Seniors' was held here . Old men over 60 from the nation attended these events. Emperor Qianlong even gave them presents. Later, Emperor Yongzheng moved his living quarters to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which is located to the west of this palace. Nevertheless, the Palace of Celestial Purity continued to play a significant role in the imperial life.

Moreover, in the Qing dynasty, no matter where the emperor died, his coffin would be placed in this palace for a few days for memorial ceremonies. Later the coffin would be moved to Jinshan, and then buried in the mausoleum on a selected day.

In the centre of the palace, the throne is on a raised dais, surrounded by cloisonn incense burners, long red candles, and large mirrors, which were placed beside the throne to ward off evil spirits. On the surrounding columns, there are two pairs of couplets written by Qing emperors. Over the throne hangs a plaque engraved with four Chinese characters, written by Emperor Yongzheng and which mean 'Justice and Brightness.' From the time of Emperor Yongzheng, the name of each crown prince would be written on duplicate documents and a copy would be placed in a box behind this plaque. The other copy would be retained by the emperor. Only if the name on each document was the same would the designated prince take the crown upon the death of the emperor.