Hall of Central Harmony, Ceremonial hall in Forbidden City, China
The Hall of Central Harmony sits between two larger halls within the Forbidden City and features a square design with golden dragon motifs on its roof. The structure contains three rooms on each side and is surrounded by corridors paved with golden bricks and topped with yellow glazed tiles.
The building was constructed in 1421 during the Ming Dynasty and underwent multiple renovations and name changes. It was previously known as Hua Gai Temple and Zhong Ji Temple before receiving its current designation.
The hall served as a preparation space where emperors received honors and reviewed documents before participating in major state ceremonies. This function made it a central place for official palace rituals.
Visitors should take time to observe the roof decorations and surrounding architecture carefully, as the space is compact and easy to overlook. Morning and late afternoon light works best for photography and examining the golden details.
The roof edges are decorated with water spouts shaped like dragon heads that create distinctive waterfalls during rainfall through the ornate architectural elements. These details are easy to overlook but play an important role in draining the building.
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