| The Palace of Heavenly Purity 乾清宫 (Qiánqīng Gōng) resembles the Hall of Supreme Harmony 太和殿 (Tàihé Diàn), but it is smaller. Ten pillars across the front indicate the nine by five bays interior size. The hall is 65.62 feet or 20 meters high. It was built during the reign of Emperor Yongle 永乐 (Yǒnglè) and was used throughout the Ming Dynasty as the main residence of the emperors. The empresses had their own residence in the Hall of Earthly Tranquility. The entire complex of the Inner Court was refurbished and redecorated during the reign of the Qing Emperor Shunzhi 順治 (Shùnzhì). |
