Resting Palace and Belfry

Resting Palace
The Resting Palace is at the back of the Beamless Hall. The main room has tables, porcelains, and other ornaments in it. There is a Study Room in the palace, where bookshelves, tables and “the four treasures of study” (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper) are set. The bedroom has a couch especially for the emperor. In the north and south parts of the palace, there are five rooms for preparing meals, tea and fruit. At the back, there is a palace for princes to fast.

 Belfry
At the northeast corner, a double-layered bell tower facing the south, named the Bell of Supreme Harmony, was built to house a gigantic bell cast in Yongle’s reign during the Ming Dynasty. The bell has a large, thick body with a height of 2.8 meters (9 feet), a thickness of 0.1 meters (0.3 feet), and a diameter of 1.55 meters (5 feet). Its body is carved with beautiful pictures. The bell can be heard far and wide when struck. Before the ritual started, the bell was struck to announce the departure of the emperor from the Palace of Abstinence, his arrival at the altar, and the ending of the ceremony. Today, visitors can personally strike the bell to pray for good fortune and happiness.