Hall of Purple Light, Building in Xichang'anjie Subdistrict, Beijing, China

The Hall of Purple Light (Ziguang Ge) stands on the western side of Zhongnanhai in Beijing, a pavilion whose present size dates from the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty. It began as a platform where the Ming emperor reviewed troops, and the platform was later replaced by a hall. Inside, portraits of 200 meritorious officials were painted and military battle maps hung on the walls.

Built under the Ming Zhengde emperor as a platform for reviewing troops, the hall was rebuilt twice under the Qianlong emperor, taking its present form in 1760. In 1873 the Tongzhi emperor received the envoys of Japan, Russia, the United States, France, the Netherlands and Britain here, the first formal audience for foreign diplomats. After 1949 it was renovated as a reception room for state guests.

The name means "purple energy from the east, glow toward the origin." On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month the Qianlong emperor held a banquet here for his decorated commanders, whose portraits and battle maps lined the hall.

The Hall of Purple Light stands inside Zhongnanhai, the central government compound on the west side of Beijing, which is closed to the public, so the building cannot be visited; it is seen only in press photographs of state receptions. Views of the surrounding lakes and walls are possible from the streets bordering the compound.

The name means "purple energy from the east, glow toward the origin." In 1760, after the Qianlong expansion, portraits of 200 meritorious officials were painted inside and military battle maps hung on the walls, making the hall a military exhibition space.