Sometime after 1923, when Pu Yi was sitting idle at his Palace, having abdicated twice (last in 1917 AD), the young Emperor had a Tennis Court layed out at Harmony Square. Tennis matches were played mainly with Tutor Reginald F. Johnston and the emperor's small group of fellow students, among which his loyal younger brother Pu Chie. To enhance the emperor's personal fitness and give him some way to dissipate his (frustrated) energies the huge square was also enthousiastically used as Pu Yi's personal Bicycle Stadium. For this purpose the young Emperor ordered a series of bicycles for himself and friends, which, were then used to race eachother through the Palace. A very welcome distraction in an otherwise frustratingly boring situation. One of Pu Yi's original bicycles is on display at one of the western palaces.
Looking up ath the white marble stairs and platforms in front of and at TiaHe Dian the Hall of Supreme Harmony, note the imperial yellow ceramic tiles and double-eaved roof.
Beyond the Mausoleum, Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the Peoples
The "eastern route" passing past the Halls of Sumpreme Harmony, Medium Harmony and Conserving Harmony. The next Gate leads into the "Nei Ting" or Inner Court, the living spaces of the Emperor, extended Imperial Family, eunuchs and court.
- Click to enlarge photo -
The Imperial Palace Museum
- Harmony Square 2 -
This page was last updated on: July 19, 2008
The Official schematic Map of The Forbidden City, by The Palace Museum.
