The use of each palace in the palaceOuter court:
- Hall of Supreme Harmony: During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was used to hold national ceremonies, such as the emperor's coronation, wedding, conferring the title of empress, conferring the crown prince, and ordering the generals to go to war. Every year, during the Longevity Festival, New Year's Day, and Winter Solstice, the emperor would receive the congratulations of his ministers here, and the ministers would also receive banquets from the emperor here.
- Baohe Hall: In the Ming Dynasty, it was the place where the emperor changed clothes and rested before the ceremony. In the Qing Dynasty, it was the place where the emperor gave banquets to foreign vassals, princes, and first-grade and second-grade ministers. It was also the place where the imperial examination was held. It was also used to store the emperor's treasures and cultural relics, hold the emperor's wedding ceremony, royal celebrations and banquets, the emperor's meeting with foreign envoys, political meetings and decisions, and important religious ceremonies.
- Zhonghe Hall: The place where the emperor rested before the grand ceremony in Taihe Hall and accepted the worship of the deacons and officials. Whenever the emperor personally held a sacrifice, such as the Heaven Sacrifice Altar and the Earth Altar, the emperor would read the congratulatory text the day before. Before the ceremony was held at the Xiannong Altar, the seeds and farm tools were inspected here. It was also a place for meetings and discussions, for the emperor to discuss state affairs with his ministers, and for the formulation of policies and laws. Sometimes it was also used as the emperor's lounge, a venue for artistic performances, and a place for banquets and court meetings.
Internal court:
- Palace of Heavenly Purity: The place where the emperor dealt with government affairs, lived, and summoned his officials. It was also the administrative center, reflecting the ruling power under the feudal imperial system. At the same time, it could be used as a place for historical and cultural displays and exhibition.
- Palace of Earthly Tranquility: It was the residence of the empress during the Shunzhi and Kangxi periods of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After Yongzheng, it was used for sacrifices. It was also used for entertainment, meeting officials, and holding important ceremonies.
- Cining Palace: The Empress Dowager lived in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was the palace where important ceremonies were held for the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager handled some harem affairs here and often received and entertained the imperial family's women here, reflecting her respect for the Empress Dowager. It was an important political, cultural, and living center in the harem.
- Yangxin Hall: Since Emperor Yongzheng, it had become the emperor's main bedroom and daily office. It was an important place for the emperor to deal with government affairs, review memorials, summon ministers, and hold internal court ceremonies.
- Wenhua Hall: Originally, it was the place where the Crown Prince lectured. Later, it became the place where the Emperor lectured. It was also the place where the palace collected books. It reflected the importance the Emperor attached to culture. It was an important place for the Emperor to study and discuss culture and history.
- Wuying Hall: It was originally the residence of the emperor when he was fasting. Later, it was used to store the books in the palace and hold the palace examination. During the Ming Dynasty, it was once the place where the emperor fasted and summoned his ministers. After the Qing Dynasty entered the pass, Dorgon became the regent of the court. After Kangxi, it was the place where the emperor edited, engraved, and printed imperial books.
- Nansansuo: The place where the princes lived during the Qing Dynasty.
- East and West Six Palaces (East Six Palaces: Jingren Palace, Zhongcui Palace, Chengqian Palace, Jingyang Palace, Yonghe Palace, Yanxi Palace; West Six Palaces: Chuxiu Palace, Yikun Palace, Yongshou Palace, Xianfu Palace, Changchun Palace, Qixiang Palace): The place where the empresses and concubines of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived.
- Ningshou Palace: In the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of the imperial concubines, imperial concubines, and other former emperors and empresses. During the Qianlong period, it was rebuilt as a retirement place after Qianlong abdicated. Cixi also once lived here.
- Shouan Palace: In the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of Taifei, Taifei and other former emperors and empresses.
- Shoukang Palace: In the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of the imperial concubines, imperial concubines and other former emperors and empresses.
- Yinghua Hall: The place where the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Concubine and the Imperial Concubine worshipped Buddha in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
- Chonghua Palace: The place where Qianlong lived after his marriage. Later, it was the place where the emperor gave tea banquets to ministers during the New Year.
- Yuqing Palace: The place where the crown prince and princes of the Qing Dynasty lived.
- Fengxian Hall: The family temple where the royal family of the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshiped their ancestors.
- Abstinence Palace: It was the place where the emperor fasted before the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth.
- Rain Flower Pavilion, Buddhist Hall.
- Changyin Pavilion: The place where the empress listened to the opera.
- Shufangzhai: The place where the emperor and empress listened to the opera.
- Yanqing Hall: At the beginning of spring, the emperor kowtowed nine times to welcome the spring and pray for the people.
- Tianqiong Hall: A place for Taoist activities in the palace, used for sacrifice.
- Jianfu Palace: A place where rare cultural relics are collected.
- North Fifth: During the Ming Dynasty, it was a place where low-level concubines and palace maids lived. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of the prince. Later, when the prince moved to the South Third, it was changed into Ruyi Hall, Longevity Pharmacy, Jingshi Room, Sizhi Warehouse, and Antique Room.
Others:
- Meridian Gate: It was the place where the imperial edict was issued, the Ming Dynasty emperor punished the ministers, the ceremonial display during ceremonies and festivals, and the ceremony of offering prisoners. It showed the strength and dignity of the country. It was the building with the highest foundation in the Forbidden City complex, reflecting the supremacy of the emperor.
- Hongyi Pavilion: In the Qing Dynasty, it was the treasury of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where gold, silver, coins, jewelry, jade articles, gold and silver utensils and other items were stored.
- Tiren Pavilion: Internal Affairs Office Stained Warehouse.
- Jiyi Hall: After the emperor's feast, he entertained the ministers here.
- The main hall: the emperor of the Qing Dynasty often chose a day to give a feast after the imperial sutra in spring.
- Wenyuan Pavilion: The library of the Qing Dynasty, once dedicated to the collection of the Four Treasury Complete Books.
- Cabinet: The place where the cabinet officials of the Ming and Qing Dynasties dealt with affairs.
- Shangsiyuan: The place in charge of the horses used by the palace.
- The Imperial Tea Catering Room was the largest dining room in the palace.
- The square around the archery pavilion was the place where the emperor and princes rode horses and shot arrows. It was also the place where the martial arts examination was held during the Qing Dynasty.
- Xian 'an Palace: The Qing Dynasty internal court taught the children of the Eight Banners here.
- Shangyi Supervisor: The place where the royal clothing in the palace was made.
- Bade Hall: The place where books are written.
- Nanxun Hall: A place where portraits of famous emperors and empresses were stored.
- [Lanterns Vault: A place to store the lanterns used in the palace.]
- Huanzhang Hall: It was the place where books were compiled, collated, and decorated.
- The Imperial Garden is a garden for the emperor and his concubines to enjoy themselves. It includes buildings on the west road such as Duixiu Mountain's Yujing Pavilion, Glass Altar Hall, Floating Jade Pavilion, Wanchun Pavilion, Crimson Snow Pavilion, and so on.
Translated as: Palace of Pleasure, the novel is equally exciting. Everyone is welcome to click and read it!