Hall of Supreme Harmony

The Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) is the largest and most important ceremonial hall in the Forbidden City in Beijing, dating to the Ming dynasty construction of the palace in the early 15th century. It served as the main throne and state ceremony hall for successive Ming and Qing emperors.

The hall dominates the Outer Court and sits atop a three-tiered white marble terrace with broad ceremonial staircases and carved balustrades. Its interior contains the imperial dragon throne and elaborate carved and painted woodwork under a double-eaved roof covered in yellow glazed tiles; the hall is the largest of the three principal halls on the palace’s central axis.

Originally built during the Ming period, the hall has been rebuilt and repaired several times after fires and other damage; it remained the focus of state rituals until the end of imperial rule in the early 20th century. Conservation and museum work in the 20th and 21st centuries have focused on preserving its wooden structure, painted decoration, and stone terrace.

Located on the central north-south axis of the Forbidden City in central Beijing, the Hall sits directly inside the Palace Museum grounds north of Tiananmen Square. It is reached from the museum’s main visitor route through the Outer Court.

• Access and timing: Entry to the Hall is through the Palace Museum ticketing system; the outer courtyards are the busiest areas so early morning visits reduce crowding.
• Significance: The Hall is the largest ceremonial building in the Forbidden City and served as the main throne hall for imperial ceremonies.

What to See #

• Marble terrace: Sits on a three-tiered white marble terrace that elevates the hall above the Outer Court and its large ceremonial staircases.
• Dragon throne and interior: Houses the imperial dragon throne and ceremonial fittings used for state rituals and coronations during Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Central axis position: Forms the central and largest of the three principal halls on the Forbidden City's central axis, flanked by the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony.