Originally constructed in 1420 during the early Ming dynasty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity served as the residence of the Emperor.

[3] At the centre of the palace, set atop an elaborate platform, is a throne and a desk, on which the Emperor wrote notes and signed documents during councils with ministers.

[4] At the end of the Qing dynasty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity served as a place primarily for political activity.

[1] The Palace of Heavenly Purity is a double-eaved, hipped-roof building set on a single-level white marble platform.

Above the throne hangs a tablet with a right-to-left script reading zhèng dà guāng míng (正大光明), penned by the Shunzhi Emperor.