Tranquil Mist and Vast Coolness

Tranquil Mist and Vast Coolness

Introduction

Tranquil Mist and Vast Coolness is located behind the main hall of the Mountain Resort, the Hall of Diligence and Sincerity. It served as the bedroom palace for Qing emperors. Constructed in the 49th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1710), it is the first scene of the “Thirty-Six Scenes of Kangxi.” The building is seven bays wide and three bays deep. Emperor Kangxi named it so because “the surroundings are picturesque, with a ten-mile stretch of flat lake that brings a refreshing breeze.” On both the east and west sides of the main hall are small side courtyards, which were residences for the empress and imperial concubines. In the 10th year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1860), during the invasion of Beijing by the Anglo-French allied forces, Emperor Xianfeng fled from Beijing to Rehe (present-day Chengde) with the empress and other consorts, staying in this hall. Both Emperor Jiaqing and Emperor Xianfeng passed away here. Emperor Xianfeng also signed the Treaty of Beijing in this hall. A sign in the hall now reminds visitors of this historical event.

 Chengde City, Hebei Province