The Gate of Supreme Harmony (center right).
The
Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen, 太和門 in traditional Chinese, 太和门 in simplified Chinese), is the second major gate at the southern side of the
Forbidden City. It is flanked by two minor gates, Zhendu Gate to the west and Zhaode Gate to the east. This gate and the
Meridian Gate form the north and south boundaries of a great plaza (Shi Zi) that is divided by a serpentine waterway spanned by the "Golden River Bridges". On the north side of the gate is Harmony Square and the entrance to the grand
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Arrayed around the stairs are a large number of incense burners.
The central starway was reserved for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his immediate attendants, as was the central entrance of Meridian Gate.
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In this panorama your viewpoint will be near a large bronze lion, one of a pair of traditional imperial guardian lions. This female (in appearance much like a male lion) is always to the intruder's left, and is shown playing with a single cub. The male, to the right, will have his left paw on a globe, representing his "feeling the pulse of the earth".
