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Jiaotaidian,
the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union, was first built in 1420 and
rebuilt in 1655 and 1798 respectively. It indicates the emperor and the
empress have a nice marriage. It looks like Zhonghedian, the Hall of Central
Harmony in shape and is the smallest among the three main palaces in the
Inner Court. Usually empresses would receive formal birthday greetings
here. Empresses would inspect preparations before they went to preside
over memorial ceremonies for Silkworm God and practise sericulture. Emperor
Shunzhi's order that eunuchs should be banned to attend to state affairs
was placed here. To the right of the throne, visitors will see ancient
Chinese water pot - equivalent of sandglass and to the left there is a
chime clock. The two timers used to be the reference of the Drum Tower
and the Bell Tower. In addition, the palace also holds 25 imperial seals.
Since Emperor Qianlong hoped that the Qing dynasty could last 25 reigns
to exceed the East Zhou dynasty, the longest dynasty in China. However
history disappointed him, the Qing dynasty only lasted ten reigns.
Go north to Kunninggong
(Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility).
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