Fourth Courtyard and Hall of Supreme Harmony

Fourth Courtyard leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony The Forbidden City has many courtyards, of which this, the Fourth Courtyard, is probably the grandest. The Fourth Courtyard leads to the Hall of Supreme Harmony which incorporates a gatehouse.

In the days of the Chinese Emperors, visitors to the Forbidden City were screened at the gatehouses before being permitted to pass into the next courtyard. If they obtained access through the Hall of Supreme Harmony they were deep in the Forbidden City and approaching the Imperial Quarters.