Where the emperors will hold court with their ministers. It was also used to hold the most solemn of ceremonial occasions, such as celebration of the New Year and the emperior's birthday, or announcing the successful candidates of the imperial examinations. It is also the largest wooden structure with the palace, with 2,300 sq. meters and 55 rooms.

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Where the emperors would meet the officials (usually in the mornings)and listened to their reports.

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One of the 3 lucky animals in Beijing. Most lions in the Forbidden City are gold plated, but this pair is bronze to be more authoritative. It was believed that only the Emperors can tame the lions.

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This is the middle part of the 'working' portion of the palace, where the emperors would usually rest before proceeding to the Tai He Dian to meet the officials. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares, with a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall. Inside the walls are 9,999 buildings. The southern part of the Forbidden City, or the Outer Court, was the administrative 'working' section. The northern part, or the Inner Court, was the family quarters. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407, the 5th year of the Yongle reign of the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. It was completed fourteen years later in 1420. In 1924, when the last emperor was driven out, a total of 24 emperors lived here: 14 from Ming Dynasty, and 10 from Qing Dynasty. Originally constructed in 1420, but the present building was from 1627. The roof has a gold-plated bronze covering, and the floor is made of high quality square clay bricks. In the centre is the throne. It served as a resting place for the emperors on their way to attend ceremonies or hold court.

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This was where the emperors would have banquets. Also the place where the princesses would get married.

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