The Outer Court is centered on the three front halls (Hall of Supreme Harmony , Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserved Harmony) , with Hall of Literary Splendor and Hall of Military Splendor at the two wings , where the emperors 
used to exercise their powers . Originally the three halls were named Feng Tian Hall , Huagai Hall and Jinsheng Hall . Later the names of the halls were changed to Jinji Hall , Zhongji Hall and Jianji Hall . Their present names were given at the Zhongji Hall and Jianji Hall . Their present names were given at the second year of the reign of Shunzhi ( 1645 A.D.) in the Qing Dynasty .
The Gateway of Supreme Harmony is the main entrance to the three halls . It has a nine-partition front , double-eaves and saddle roof , occupying an area of 1,800 square meters and being the largest gateway in the Imperial Palace . In a square south of the 
gateway flows a 200 plus meter long river called Gold Water River . Five stone bridges cross the river . Behind this Gateway is the Outer Court .
At the far southern end of the Outer Court is the Hall of Supreme Harmony , also called the Hall of Gold Throne , which is the largest building in the Imperial Palace , having the highest status in the feudalist society . The three grand halls stand on common 8.13-meter high , three-layers white marble base giving them an even more majestic air .
The central area of the Inner Court consists too , of three palaces .In the south is the Palace of Heavenly Cleanness , the abode of the emperor , which was first constructed in the twelfth year of the reign of the Shunzhi (1655 A.D.) , reconstructed in the eighth year of the reign of Kangxi , and again reconstructed after a fire disaster in the second year of the reign of Jiaqing (1797 A.D.) The Palace of Earthly 
Tranquility is the abode of the empresses , with two partitioned-off sections in the east and west . In between the two palaces is the Hall of Joint Peace , a small hall built later .
On the two sides of the Inner Court are the six East and West Palaces , the abodes of the Imperial Concubines . Behind the Palace of Earthly Tranquility is the royal garden where the buildings center around Qin An Hall and there are all kinds of pavilions , storeyed buildings , old trees and queer stones , showing both the imperial luxury and the tranquility and beauty of a private classic garden .
The decorations and paintings on the architectures in the Imperial Palace are intricate and excellent . The yellow glazed tiles , red walls and pillars , golden gates , and white-marble engraved balustrades , under an azure sky and drifting clouds , form a wealthy , noble and gracious spectacle .
