China: The Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Palace), The Forbidden City (Zijin Cheng), Beijing

The Palace of Heavenly Purity, or Qianqing Palace is the largest of the three halls of the Forbidden City's Inner Court (the other two being the Hall of Union and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility). During the Qing dynasty, the palace served as the Emperor's audience hall, where he held council with the Grand Council.

The Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, served for 500 years (until the end of the imperial era in 1911) as the seat of all power in China, the throne of the Son of Heaven and the private residence of all the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. The complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 m2 (7,800,000 sq ft).

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia

Theme:

MANDATE OF HEAVEN