What is the Baohe Hall in the Forbidden City?

The three halls of the Forbidden City are the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Zhonghe and the Hall of Baohe. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest, the Hall of Zhonghe is the smallest, and the size of the Hall of Baohe is somewhere in between. At present, the Baohe Hall of the Forbidden City was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, but it was destroyed by fire several times and rebuilt several times. But the main girder frame used now is still a building in Ming Dynasty. What is the main purpose of this Baohe Hall? It is said that the usage of Baohe Hall in Ming and Qing Dynasties is different.

Baohe Hall was in the Ming Dynasty, where the emperor changed clothes before the ceremony and awarded the titles of queen and crown prince, and the emperor was congratulated here. In the Qing dynasty, the emperor invited foreign ministers, princes and ministers to dine here every festival. And the rule is that the dead are living, and every emperor is different. They can also change the use of Baohe Hall. For example, in the third year of Shunzhi in Qing Dynasty, the emperor shunzhi once lived in Baohe Hall, and the emperor shunzhi's wedding was also held in Baohe Hall, but the Baohe Hall at that time was called "Yu Wei Palace".

Within eight years after Emperor Kangxi came to power, he lived in Baohe Hall. However, the Baohe Hall at that time was called "Qingning Palace". It is said that Emperor Kangxi deliberately changed the name of Baohe Hall because he wanted to live here. In the fifty-fourth year of Qianlong, Emperor Qianlong moved the location of palace examination from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the Hall of Baohe. It can be seen that the rules in the palace were actually ordered by the emperor. He can do whatever he wants with Baohe Hall.

As for the area, the area of Baohe Hall is 1240.00㎡, the area of our ordinary suite is 120㎡, and Baohe Hall is ten times that of our suite. It can be seen that the area of Baohe Hall is very large, but it was normal for the royal family to put it in a large area at that time. In addition to its large area, the building of Baohe Hall is also very luxurious.

The decoration in the temple is exquisite, the building materials are excellent and exquisite. Every ornament has its meaning. It is understood that the Baohe Hall is covered with yellow glazed tiles, and nine small animals are placed on the upper and lower eaves. The inside and outside eaves are painted with golden dragons and seals, and the ceiling is painted with dragons. In short, such a project was a waste of people and money at that time, but the emperor would not hesitate to build it for himself.