Palace of Eternal Spring

Palace of Eternal Spring

Chang—(Chang Palace)—was one of the Western Six Palaces and served as the residence for imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties. A plaque inscribed with the characters “Cultivate Inner Virtue” (敬修内则), personally written by Emperor Qianlong, was hung in the front hall. During the Ming dynasty, Noble Consort Shangshou of Emperor Jiajing and Consort Li of Emperor Tianqi once lived here. In the Qing dynasty, Empress Xiaoxianchun, wife of Emperor Qianlong, resided in this palace.

After the death of Empress Xiaoxianchun, in order to keep the memories of his beloved wife alive, Emperor Qianlong ordered that the original furnishings of the palace be preserved just as they were when she lived there. All her personal items, such as cosmetic boxes and clothing, were kept intact and arranged as they had been. The empress’s ceremonial headdress adorned with eastern pearls and her eastern pearl court beads were enshrined in Chang Palace. On the 25th day of the 12th lunar month each year and on the anniversary of her death, Emperor Qianlong would personally visit to pay his respects. This arrangement and ritual continued for over 40 years until the 60th year of Qianlong’s reign, when he finally ordered the space to be cleared for other consorts to reside.

On the early morning of New Year’s Day in the 49th year of Qianlong’s reign, the 74-year-old emperor, sitting by the southeast window of the Yangxin Hall and gazing at the moonlight outside, was once again reminded of Empress Xiaoxianchun, who had passed away 36 years prior. He picked up his brush and wrote a poem. In the poem, he referred to the empress as his “old companion”: “In days gone by I’d speak lightly of my old companion; this New Year’s joy is the birth of a great-grandson.” He added a personal note: “Empress Xiaoxianchun and I were of the same age, now she would be nearly seventy-four, the age to see a great-grandson.”

In the late Qing dynasty, after Emperor Tongzhi assumed power, Empress Dowager Cixi also resided here. Empress Wanrong’s consort, Concubine Wenxiu, the last consort of the Xuantong Emperor (Puyi), also lived in this palace.

The roof features yellow glazed tiles in the hip-and-gable style, with a front corridor. The central bay has a door, partitioned with latticed wind doors and bamboo-patterned skirt boards. The side bays have lattice windows, while the end bays feature full-length windows with decorative panels. The central bay houses a floor-standing screen and an imperial throne, above which hangs the plaque “Cultivate Inner Virtue” inscribed by Emperor Qianlong. Curtains separate the central area from the side bays. The end bays near the north contain a heated kang bed enclosed by a floor screen, serving as the sleeping quarters. Bronze turtles and bronze cranes—one pair each—are placed on the left and right sides in front of the hall. The east side hall is called Sui Shou Hall, and the west side hall is called Cheng Xi Hall, both having three bays with front corridors, connected via corner corridors to other halls. To the south of Chang Palace lies a theater stage within the palace courtyard. There are screen doors in the northeast and northwest corners, leading to the rear hall.

The rear hall is the Chamber of Emotional Cultivation (Yi Qing Shu Shi), built around the same time as Chang Palace. It has five bays in width, with three side rooms on the east and west respectively. The east side hall is called Hall of Extended Longevity (Yi Shou Zhai), and the west side hall is called Studio of Joyful Aspirations (Le Zhi Xuan), each with three bays. In the southeast corner of the rear courtyard stands a well pavilion. During the Ming dynasty, Consort Li of Emperor Tianqi once lived here. In the Qing dynasty, Consort Xi of Emperor Kangxi, Consort Qian of Emperor Yongzheng, Empress Xiaoxianchun of Emperor Qianlong, and Empress Dowager Cixi all resided here. The empress’s ceremonial eastern pearl crown, eastern pearls, and court beads were displayed in this hall.

The corridor walls of Chang Palace are adorned with over ten large murals themed around the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Some depict the “Happy Red Court,” others the “Bamboo Lodge,” and some show Grandmother Jia strolling through the Grand View Garden. The painted figures are remarkably lifelike, and the scenes featuring pavilions and towers possess a strong sense of three-dimensionality. The overall layout is grand, exquisite, and meticulously arranged. The brushwork is delicate, elegant, and refined, showcasing the exceptional skill and deep artistry of the painters from the late Qing period.

The Palace Museum

Bell and Drum Palace (Zhongcui Palace)

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Hall)

Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen)

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)

Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying Hall)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Palace)

Hall of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Palace)

Palace of Longevity and Health (Cining Palace)

Hall of Three Rarities (Sanxitang)

Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Hall)

Palace of Longevity and Peace (Shou’an Palace)

Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City

Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshou Palace)

Meridian Gate (Wumen)

Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhua Hall)

Tower of Virtuous Integrity (Tiren Pavilion)

Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen)