Gate of Supreme Harmony

The Gate of Supreme Harmony (Traditional Chinese: 太和門; Simplified Chinese: 太和门; pinyin: tài hé mén), is the second major gate at the southern side of the Forbidden City. It is flanked by two minor gates, Zhendu Gate to the west and Zhaode Gate to the east. This gate and the Meridian Gate form the north and south boundaries of a great plaza (Shi Zi) that is divided by a serpentine waterway spanned by the "Golden River Bridges". On the north side of the gate is Harmony Square and the entrance to the grand Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Arrayed around the stairs are a large number of incense burners.

The central starway was reserved for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his immediate attendants, as was the central entrance of Meridian Gate.

External link

• World heritage imerssive panorama

In this panorama your viewpoint will be near a large bronze lion, one of a pair of traditional imperial guardian lions. This female (in appearance much like a male lion) is always to the intruder's left, and is shown playing with a single cub. The male, to the right, will have his left paw on a globe, representing his "feeling the pulse of the earth".

See also: Gate of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Imperial guardian lions, Incense, Meridian Gate, Pinyin, Simplified Chinese character, Traditional Chinese character