Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is a cultural tourism attraction.

Originally named the Hall of Diligent Government, it was first built in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign and rebuilt in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign. Renamed the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, it takes its name from the Analects of Confucius: “The benevolent enjoy long life.” This was where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled state affairs, received congratulations, and met foreign envoys during their stays in the garden. The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is located inside the East Palace Gate of the Summer Palace and is one of the main buildings in the palace area.

It was renamed to its current title during the Guangxu reign. The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity faces east and is seven bays wide, with side halls to the north and south. In front is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity Gate, outside of which are the North and South Nine Officials’ Rooms. In 1898, Emperor Guangxu summoned Kang Youwei, leader of the reformists, in this hall, appointing him to the Zongli Yamen (Office for the Management of the Business of All Foreign Countries) and allowing him to submit memorials directly—thus marking the beginning of the Hundred Days' Reform. However, due to opposition from conservative feudal forces, the “Hundred Days' Reform” ultimately failed.

The highlight inside the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is a bronze mythical beast crouching on a stone Sumeru pedestal. With a dragon head, lion tail, deer antlers, ox hooves, and a body covered in scales, its peculiar form represents the legendary auspicious creature, the Qilin.

Bronze dragons and bronze phoenixes are arranged in front of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. Both are hollow and were used to burn sandalwood during imperial audiences. When the sandalwood was lit inside, smoke would gently emerge from the mouths of the dragons and phoenixes. Traditionally in ancient China, the dragon symbolized the emperor and the phoenix the empress, usually with the dragon placed in the center and the phoenix to the side. But after Empress Dowager Cixi came to power, she reversed their positions to “phoenix above, dragon below,” asserting her authority.

The ding-style incense burner is one of the features of imperial architecture, symbolizing imperial power and dignity. During major ceremonies, sandalwood and Tibetan incense were burned in the burners, filling the air with swirling smoke and fragrance.

Inside the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, a large golden plaque hangs high, inscribed with “Longevity in Harmony with Benevolence.” The hall houses the thrones used by Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu when receiving ministers. The thrones, exquisitely carved from precious rosewood, feature nine golden dragons on the backrests. Surrounding the thrones are ceremonial fans, incense burners, and crane-shaped lamps.

The interior decoration of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity prominently features the character for “longevity.” On the walls of the north and south heated chambers hang large scrolls, each depicting a hundred bats holding up a single “longevity” character, symbolizing “a hundred blessings supporting longevity.” Behind the throne in the hall, a screen is carved with over two hundred “longevity” characters in various scripts, showcasing the artistry of the character. The roof tiles around the hall are also engraved with the “longevity” motif, with seventy-eight on each side, one hundred and twenty-eight at the front and back, totaling four hundred and twelve “longevity” characters.

Five Taihu rocks, each about 4 meters tall, are displayed in front of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. One unique rock is placed at each corner of the courtyard, symbolizing the four seasons. The five lake rocks represent the Five Elders Peaks of Mount Lu, symbolizing longevity and collectively called “Peakless Five Elders.” The rocks are inscribed with a poem written by Emperor Qianlong in the summer of the Jiayin year. The poem reads: “The forest rustles, the water is cool, the mountain birds chirp amid the stream breeze. From this poem, we can deduce that these rocks were originally part of the ‘Water and Wood Mingse’ scene in the Old Summer Palace’s Forty Scenes. Records indicate that the other four rocks were brought over from the Old Summer Palace to the Summer Palace by cart in June 1937.

Attraction Location

Inside the Summer Palace Park, No. 19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Summer Palace

Hall of Jade Ripples

Longevity Hill

Kunming Lake

Tower of Buddhist Incense in the Summer Palace

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

Beijing Marble Boat