Palace of Eternal Spring

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Consort Shu in the palace's courtyard

The Palace of Eternal Spring (simplified Chinese: 长春宫; traditional Chinese: 長春宮; pinyin: Chǎngchūngōng) is one of the Six Western Palaces in the inner court of the Forbidden City. It is situated north of the Hall of the Supreme Principle, west of the Palace of Earthly Honour and northwest of the Palace of Eternal Longevity.[1]

History[edit]

This residence was built in 1420 and was named the "Palace of Eternal Spring". In 1535, the Jiajing Emperor renamed it to the "Palace of Eternal Tranquility" (永宁宫; Yǒngnínggōng). It regained its current name during the Qing dynasty and was renovated in 1689.[2] In 1859, the inner gate was dismantled so as to connect it with the neighbouring Hall of the Supreme Principle; an opera stage where Empress Dowager Cixi could watch performances was constructed.[3]

The most remarkable detail of the palace is a corridor painted with 18 Suzhou-style frescos depicting scenes from the Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin.

Residents[edit]

Ming dynasty[edit]

Year Emperor Imperial consort Notes
1623–1627 Tianqi Consort Cheng[4]

Qing dynasty[edit]

Year Emperor Imperial consort Notes
1735–1748 Qianlong Empress Xiaoxianchun
1861–1884 Xianfeng Empress Dowager Cixi
1908–1913 Guangxu Empress Dowager Longyu[5] She moved here from the Palace of Accumulated Purity and also lived in the Hall of the Supreme Principle
1922–1924 Xuantong Consort Shu[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 魏/Wei, 莉/Li (2004). 从北京故宫到避暑山庄/"A review of the Forbidden city in Peking". 山东画报出版社/Shandong Typography. p. 42.
  2. ^ "长春宫". 2013-10-30. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  3. ^ "Palace of Eternal Spring (Changchungong), Forbidden City, Beijing". www.travelchinaguide.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  4. ^ 梅/Mei, 毅/Yi (2010). 縱慾時代:大明朝的另類歷史/"Biographies of notables of great Ming dynasty". 達觀出版事業有限公司/Daguan Typographical Company. p. 390.
  5. ^ 清宫述闻:正续编合编本/ "Residences of Qing dynasty. Revised edition". Forbidden City Press. 1990. pp. 757–765.
  6. ^ "末代皇妃文绣的结局(图)_新华书画_新华网". 16 November 2013. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2020.