Paiyun Hall

　　The Paiyun Hall architectural complex was first built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong period, originally centered around the Yan Shou Temple. It served as the venue where Empress Dowager Cixi held her birthday celebrations in the late Qing Dynasty. The entire scenic area covers approximately 8,000 square meters, with Paiyun Hall at its center. It consists of Paiyun Gate, Yuhua Hall, Yunjin Hall, the Second Palace Gate, Fanghui Hall, Zixiao Hall, Paiyun Hall, Dehui Hall, as well as corridors and auxiliary rooms connecting the various halls. In 1860, the complex was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces. In 1886, Cixi had it rebuilt, converting the lower part of the former Yan Shou Temple into the Paiyun Hall complex for celebrating birthdays. Today, the halls mostly display birthday gifts presented to Cixi by princes and ministers during her celebrations.

　　Paiyun Hall is built on a high platform, featuring a hip-and-gable roof with double eaves, and is composed of 21 rooms in the front and back. Inside the hall, there are thrones, folding screens, tripods, incense burners, and palace fans. Beneath the platform, four large bronze vats used for fire prevention and water storage are symmetrically arranged—commonly known as “gate seas.” The hall is surrounded by corridors and auxiliary rooms, with a courtyard in front that includes a pool or a Golden Water Bridge made of white marble. The overlapping eaves and colorful glazed tiles create a magnificent sight. From a distance, Paiyun Hall, along with Paiyun Gate, the Golden Water Bridge, and the Second Palace Gate, forms a straight line that rises step by step. This architectural ensemble is one of the most spectacular in the Summer Palace. The name “Paiyun” (排云) comes from a line in the poem by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty: “Immortals part the clouds and emerge, revealing only golden and silver terraces,” symbolizing the moment when deities seem ready to appear from the misty, celestial palaces.

　　It is said that Cixi initially intended to use this place as her bedroom, but shortly after its completion, she fell ill. She believed this might be because the hall was too close to the Buddhist sanctuary “Foxiang Pavilion,” making it unsuitable for long-term residence. Later, she decided to designate the Leshou Hall as her bedroom, while using Paiyun Hall solely as the place where she would receive homage during her birthday celebrations.

　　Yunhui Yuyu (Cloud Radiance and Jade Universe), adjacent to Kunming Lake, marks the starting point of the central axis of the main architectural complex on the front hill of Longevity Hill. The structure features four pillars and seven stories, topped with yellow glazed tiles and adorned with golden dragon and imperial seal paintings, signifying its extremely noble status. The “Yunhui Yuyu” archway signifies that the palaces here exist in a world where colorful clouds harmonize with splendid architecture. On the south-facing plaque of the archway is inscribed “Xinggong Yaoshu” (Stars Surround the Jade Pivot), indicating that this is a “divine land revered by the stars.” In front of Paiyun Gate, apart from two vividly designed and exquisitely cast bronze lions, there are also six Taihu rocks of different shapes placed on each side, symbolizing the twelve zodiac animals. The plaques on the archway, both north and south, convey praise and glorification for the ruler, while subtly reflecting the hierarchical order of feudal rites between sovereign and subjects.

　　Yuhua Hall, originally the bell tower of Yan Shou Temple during the Qingyi Garden period, serves as the east-side auxiliary hall of the first courtyard of Paiyun Hall. The hall has five bays with a single-eave, gable-and-hip roof, and once functioned as a temporary resting place for the emperor during Cixi’s birthday celebrations.

　　Yunjin Hall, originally the drum tower of Yan Shou Temple during the Qingyi Garden period, serves as the west-side auxiliary hall of the first courtyard of Paiyun Hall. The hall has five bays with a single-eave, gable-and-hip roof, and once served as a temporary resting place for high-ranking officials of second rank and above during Cixi’s birthday celebrations.

　　The Second Palace Gate is the gate to the second courtyard of the Paiyun Hall complex, featuring three bays and a rolled shed-style gable-and-hip roof. Under the eaves of the gate hangs a black-lacquered, gold-character plaque inscribed with “Wanshou Wujang” (Long Live Without End), which was the spot where birthday congratulatory texts were read during Cixi’s celebrations.

　　Fanghui Hall, originally the Miaojue Hall of Yan Shou Temple during the Qingyi Garden period, is the east-side auxiliary hall of the second courtyard of Paiyun Hall. The hall has five bays with a single-eave, gable-and-hip roof. The name “Fanghui” (芳辉) conveys the meaning of an auspicious and blessed life. Zixiao Hall, originally the Zhenru Hall of Yan Shou Temple during the Qingyi Garden period, is the west-side auxiliary hall of the second courtyard of Paiyun Hall. The hall has five bays with a single-eave, gable-and-hip roof. The name “Zixiao” (紫霄) also means an auspicious and blessed life.

　　Dehui Hall, originally the Duobao Hall of Yan Shou Temple during the Qingyi Garden period, has five bays with a single-eave, gable-and-hip roof, and features a front corridor. Wings on both sides connect to Paiyun Hall via mountain-climbing corridors. It served as the dressing and resting place for the emperor and empress when they visited Foxiang Pavilion for Buddhist worship. Currently, the hall displays the “Paiyun Hall Scenic Area Restoration Exhibition.”