Songhe Studio

Songhe Studio

Introduction

Songhe Studio is located to the east of the main hall of the Mountain Resort. It was built in the 14th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1749). Empress Dowager Xiaoshengxian (Qianlong’s mother) and imperial concubines resided here. In those days, “green pines curled around the courtyard, and white cranes danced in front of the hall.” Emperor Qianlong named it after the symbolic longevity of pines and cranes, making it the third scene of the “Thirty-Six Scenes of Qianlong.” This architectural complex includes the gate hall, Songhe Studio (later renamed Huanhui Hall), Suicheng Hall (later renamed Jide Hall), Seventeen Rooms, Leshou Hall (later renamed Yuexing Ju), and Changyuan Tower. Suicheng Hall was where Emperor Jiaqing studied and lived during his time as a prince. After the 12th year of the Daoguang reign (1832), it housed the spirit tablets of successive emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Leshou Hall was the bedroom palace where Empress Dowager Xiaoshengxian lived, and Emperor Jiaqing also often resided here in his later years. Changyuan Tower shares the same design as “Clouds and Mountains Supreme,” offering a high vantage point to view the scenery of the lake area. Behind the tower is a hanging flower gate, which leads directly to the Wanhe Songfeng Hall.

Hebei Chengde City