2025 Explore the Forbidden City’s lesser-known “Temples”

Welcome to the Forbidden City, a place of history, culture and mystery. While many of you are familiar with the magnificent halls like the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian) , today we will discover some lesser-known but equally fascinating “halls”! Each of these halls has its own unique history and function, and together they make up this magical place.

The Hall of Union (Jiaotai dian): Exclusive to the Empress

Located in the Forbidden City, the Hall of Union (Jiaotai dian)  is a place dedicated to important ceremonies related to the Empress. Whether it is the enthronement of the Empress, the celebration of her birth, or the pilgrimage of the concubines, this place bears witness to the grand ceremonies of the court. In addition, in the spring the Empress performs her duties as the Mother of the Nation by holding silkworm ceremonies here.

The Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin’an dian): Mysterious Blessings

The only religious building in the Forbidden City situated on the north-south axis, the Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin’an dian) is dedicated to Zhenwu Da Di, the Taoist god of the north, who is the god who calms the water and settles the state. Zhu Di, the first Ming emperor, was blessed by the god Zhenwu during his conquests, so he had this hall built as a token of his gratitude. The golden statue of Zhenwu in the hall is solemn and majestic, demonstrating the emperor’s reverence for the god.

The Hall of Southern Fragrance (Nanxun dian) : A Palace of Treasures

The Hall of Southern Fragrance , once housed portraits of emperors and wise ministers throughout the ages in the Forbidden City. In addition, it became a place to store furniture and other precious items. It is considered to have the largest collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture in the world, with a collection of up to 6,200 pieces! The Hall of Southern Fragrance is not only of historical significance, but also rich in artistic value.

The Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying dian) : A Multi-purpose Cultural Center

The Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying dian) is a multi-functional palace in the Forbidden City, not only as a place for the Emperor to worship the heavens, but also as a center for administrative and cultural activities. Especially during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, The Hall of Martial Valor became the royal library and a center for the creation of important books and documents.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin dian) : The Center of Power

The Hall of Mental Cultivation became the emperor’s main bedchamber in the late Qing Dynasty, but it was not just a place to rest, it was also the center where the emperor made major political decisions. Emperor Yongzheng set up the “Office of Military Affairs” here.

The Hall of the Supreme Principle (Taiji dian) : Temporary Residence of the Emperor and Empress

The Hall of the Supreme Principle, originally called the Weiyang Palace, is one of the oldest buildings in the Forbidden City. It served as a temporary residence for several emperors on several occasions. During the Qing Dynasty, Taiji Hall was remodeled to celebrate the 50th birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi.

Yinghua dian: A Holy Place for Prayers for the Empress

The Yinghua dian was a place of prayer for the Empress Dowager and other women of the court, and was dedicated to praying for the peace of the nation and the prosperity of the royal family. It is beautifully decorated and contains a large number of works of art, including paintings and sculptures, which demonstrate the skill of the craftsmen of the time.

Summary

The Forbidden City is more than just a palace; it is a time capsule that preserves the grandeur and complexity of ancient Chinese court life. Each palace played its own role in the imperial court, whether as a center of power, a sanctuary of faith, or a temple of culture.