Forbidden City in Beijing - 2008

Qianqingmen Gate - 13

During the Ching Dynasty the Emperors held audiences with their officials at Qianqingmen Gate. The Gate is guarded by the gilded golden lions, who's heads are tilted slightly inward toward the Imperial Road, the central axis along which the Emperor exclusively moved. Behind lie the three main halls of the inner court, also known as the rear palaces. The halls, all located on the central axis of both palace and city, are the Qianqinggong, Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Jiaotai Dian, Hall of Unity, and the Kunning Gong - Palace of Earthly Tranquility.