The Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen in Chinese) is the most majestic palace gate in the Forbidden City, featuring a 60-meter-wide (196-foot-wide) façade, a double-eaves roof, and intricate decorations, along with two auxiliary gates. It served as the primary venue for the emperors to handle governmental affairs with officials, symbolizing the imperial power and dignity from Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty (1420~1661).
Where is the Gate of Supreme Harmony?
The Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen in Chinese) stands at the southern end of the Forbidden City's central axis. As the grand entrance to the Outer Court, it leads to the Three Main Halls.
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| Gate of Supreme Harmony, North of Taihemen Square |
On both sides of the square, you'll find two veranda-like halls, with the Gate of Unified Harmony (Xiehemen) on the east and the Gate of Glorious Harmony (Xihemen) on the west. Occupying the centre of the northern side of this square is the Gate of Supreme Harmony.
What does the Gate of Supreme Harmony look like?
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| Gates of Zhendu, Supreme Harmony, & Zhaode |
From a distance of the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will see double-eaves hipped and gabled roof, shimmering with golden glazed tiles and adorned with seven mystical creatures perched on the eaves corners. Perched on white marble pedestal that stands 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall, the gatehouse also boasts a clever dragon-head drainage system.
As you walk closer and gaze up, you'll notice the eaves adorned with golden dragon paintings, while the vermilion pillars and gilded copper nails on the door add a touch of regal elegance. Step into it and you will find an extended 1,300 square meters (1,400 square yards) space which stretches 60 meters (196 feet) wide and 30 meters (98 feet) deep. Flanking the main gatehouse are the auxiliary gates, Zhaode Gate and Zhendu Gate.
What was the Gate of the Supreme Harmony used for?
 | | Gate of Supreme Harmony | |  | | Bronze Lion by Gate of Supreme Harmony | |
Handling Government Affairs
In Ming Dynasty, officials would gather here every morning for the emperor's audience. The emperor would sit inside the Gate of Supreme Harmony, ready to listen to their reports and make decisions. This tradition continued until the early Qing Dynasty, when the location shifted to the Gate of Heavenly Purity.
Announcing Imperial Edicts
This gate was also important for announcing big news. For example, in the October of the first year under Shunzhi reign of the Qing dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi announced an Act of Grace.
Ascending the Throne
Due to the destruction of the Three Main Halls by lightning in 1421, several Ming emperors ascended the throne at the Gate of the Supreme Harmony rather than the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Storing Imperial Items
The Zhaode and Zhendu Gates, flanking the Gate of Supreme Harmony, are adjacent to numerous warehouses that are said to store such items as fur, porcelain, silver, tea, silk, satin and clothes for the use of the emperors. Therefore, it was a restricted part of the palace, constantly guarded and patrolled by soldiers day and night.
Architectural Highlights of the Gate of Supreme Harmony
Bronze Lions: Symbol of Royal Authority
The Gate of Supreme Harmony is guarded by two bronze lions. These symbolize imperial power. The lion on the east side is male. Its right front paw is placed on a globe denoting that imperial power extended world-wide. The lioness on the west side has its left front paw on a lion cub. This denotes a thriving and prosperous imperial family.
"Golden Bricks"
Inside the gate, you'll find floor tiles known as "golden bricks". They go through a meticulous process of soil selection, mud refining, shaping, drying, and firing, all with precise temperature and timing controls. These tiles are incredibly sturdy yet delicate, and when you tap them, they produce a pleasant metallic clang, hence their nickname "golden bricks".
15-Layer Foundation: A Defense against Assassins
You will be astonished to learn that the foundations of the gatehouse were laid in a very special way - seven layers lengthways and eight layers crosswise, totaling fifteen layers of bricks in all. This precaution was intended to prevent assassins tunnelling into the palace.
The Enigma of the Stone Coffer and Pavilion
In front of the gate steps, you'll notice a stone coffer on the west side like a square box with a lid, and a stone pavilion on the east with a tiny roof perched on an ornate pedestal. People have long debated their purposes. Some believe the coffer stored grain, reflecting the ancient wisdom that food is essential, while the pavilion held ancient weight tools. Others suggest the coffer held imperial seals, and the pavilion served as a decree pavilion for royal edicts. Still others suggest it was used to store ceremonial time tablets and memorials.
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| Stone Pavillion (Left of the Bronze Lion) |
When was the Gate of Supreme Harmony built?
The Gate of Supreme Harmony, originally named the Gate of Heavenly Commands, was built in 1420. It was later renamed the Gate of Imperial Supremacy in 1562 and finally the Gate of Supreme Harmony in 1645. After undergoing repairs in 1646 and 1802, it was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1888. The existing structure stands as a rebuild from 1894.
There used to be a paper Gate of Supreme Harmony.
In a surprising twist just days before Emperor Guangxu's wedding in 1888, the Gate of Supreme Harmony burned down. To uphold tradition that the bride must pass through this gate, craftsmen quickly constructed a sturdy paper replica on the original site. And so, the queen made her grand entrance through this makeshift gate into the Forbidden City.
 | Our Tour Group in front of Gate of Supreme Harmony
 Photos | |  | Close Shot of
Gate of Supreme Harmony | |
Next:
Go through the gate, walk further north across the Taihedian Square, and then see the three grand halls of the Outer Court:
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian)
Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian)
Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian)
If your schedule is not tight, some side buildings are also worth a visit before starting the tour along the central axis. To the east of the Taihemen Square is the
Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhuadian), while to the west is the
Hall of Martial Valor (Wuyingdian) and
Duanhong Bridge.
Further Reading:
How to visit the Forbidden CityAncient Alarm System in the Forbidden CityInteresting Animal Statues in the Forbidden City
- Last updated on Mar. 31, 2025 by Jally Zhang -
