Forbidden City in Beijing - 2008

Back of Hall of Preserving Harmony - 10

Here you can see the steps leading down from the raised marble platform. The Hall of Preserving Harmony can be seen on the right; on the left is the Hall of Complete Harmony. In 1789, during the middle of the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qian Long moved the Palace Examination, the highest level and final stage of the nationwide imperial examination system, from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to this hall. Emperors would read the papers of the top ten candidates to honor them.