Yongshou Palace

　　Yongshou Palace is one of the Western Six Palaces in the inner court. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was originally named Changle Palace. In the 14th year of the Jiajing reign (1535), it was renamed Yude Palace, and then again renamed Yongshou Palace in the 44th year of the Wanli reign (1616). It underwent renovations or major repairs during the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign (1655), the 36th year of the Kangxi reign (1697), and the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign (1897) of the Qing Dynasty, but still largely retains the layout from its initial construction in the Ming Dynasty.

　　Yongshou Palace has a two-courtyard layout. The main hall of the front courtyard is five bays wide, with a yellow glazed tile hip-and-gable roof. The exterior decoration includes: on the central bay, double doors with lattice windows on both the front and rear eaves; the side and end bays have waist-high walls topped with double doors with lattice windows.

　　Inside the hall, there is an imperial plaque inscribed with “Virtuous and Graceful Demeanor” written by Emperor Qianlong. The eastern wall hangs Qianlong’s “Holy Edict: Eulogy on Ban Jieyu Refusing the Imperial Sedan,” while the western wall displays the painting “Ban Jieyu Refusing the Imperial Sedan.” In the 6th year of the Qianlong reign (1741), Emperor Qianlong decreed that the plaques in all eleven palaces of the inner court “be made in the style of Yongshou Palace.” Once hung, they were not to be moved or replaced without permission.

　　The main hall has three-bay side halls on the east and west. The rear courtyard has a five-bay main hall, with side rooms on the east and west, as well as three-bay side halls on the east and west in front of the main hall, and a well pavilion in the southeast corner of the courtyard.

　　Yongshou Palace was the residence of imperial concubines during the Ming Dynasty and of imperial consorts during the Qing Dynasty. In the 18th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1590), the emperor summoned Grand Secretary Shen Shixing and others here. In the 11th year of the Chongzhen reign (1638), due to frequent natural disasters and omens, the emperor observed a period of retreat here. During the Qing Dynasty, Consort Donggo and Consort Ke of Emperor Shunzhi, and Consort Ru of Emperor Jiaqing, once lived here.

　　In the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign (1735), after the death of Emperor Yongzheng, Empress Dowager Xiaoshengxian resided in Yongshou Palace, while Emperor Qianlong stayed in the south corridor of the Hall of Heavenly Purity and visited Yongshou Palace to pay his respects.

　　In the 37th year of the Qianlong reign (1772), when Princess Heke married, and in the 54th year of the Qianlong reign (1789), when Princess Hexiao married the son of Heshuo, banquets were held in Yongshou Palace. In the mid-to-late Daoguang reign, with growing external threats and internal unrest, the court deliberately covered up issues, hiding secret reports from regional governors in Yongshou Palace. After the Guangxu reign, both the front and rear halls of the palace were turned into storage for imperial items. It is now open as an exhibition room for cultural relics at the Palace Museum.

　　The mother of Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty, Lady Ji, was taken into the palace as a maid in her youth. By chance, she caught the temporary favor of Emperor Xianzong. At that time, Emperor Xianzong was deeply infatuated with the eighteen years older Noble Consort Wan, indulging and tacitly approving her arrogance. When Lady Ji became pregnant, she drank an abortion drug sent by Noble Consort Wan, but the fetus was not aborted, leaving her in fear. A maid tried to protect her by lying to Noble Consort Wan that Lady Ji was not pregnant, and then had her moved to Anle Hall outside the palace to live. In July of the 6th year of the Chenghua reign, Lady Ji gave birth here to Zhu Youchang, later known as Emperor Xiaozong. The young Zhu Youchang was secretly raised in a hidden room. When he turned five, eunuch Zhang Min tearfully reported the prince’s situation to Emperor Xianzong, who had long been distressed by having no heir. The emperor then brought him into the palace, quickly enthroned him as crown prince, and had Lady Ji reside in Yongshou Palace.

　　At Yongshou Palace, Lady Ji spent the happiest time of her life. Her son had been made heir apparent, allowing her to live carefree. The emperor also frequently visited Yongshou Palace to reminisce with her.

　　But this happy time lasted only a brief month. In June of the 11th year of the Chenghua reign, Lady Ji suddenly fell ill and died, shocking the court and the public. It was widely suspected that she had been poisoned by Noble Consort Wan, but Emperor Xianzong did not pursue the matter. This became one of the most tragic recorded episodes of the Ming Dynasty palace tragedies.

　　Today, when visiting Yongshou Palace, it is impossible to verify how many strange stories took place there. One can only experience the essence through the various legends.

　　Aisin-Gioro Hongli (1711–1799)　　Emperor Qianlong, Aisin-Gioro Hongli (September 25, 1711 – February 7, 1799), was the sixth emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He reigned for sixty years and effectively governed for sixty-three years and four months, making him the longest-lived emperor in Chinese history and also the emperor with the longest actual tenure in power. Together with his father Yongzheng and grandfather Kangxi, Qianlong ushered in the “Prosperous Age of Kangxi and Qianlong.” During his reign, he consolidated and developed a unified multi-ethnic nation, suppressed the Dzungar and Jungar rebellions, stabilized Tibet, quelled the Jinchuan Rebellions, reformed the bureaucracy, emphasized agriculture, developed water conservancy, promoted Sinology, established the post of Ili General, and improved governance in Xinjiang, among other achievements. However, in the later part of his reign...   More+

The Palace Museum

Zhongcui Palace

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Shenwu Gate

Hall of Preserving Harmony

Hall of Imperial Supremacy

Hall of Martial Valor

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

Hall of Heavenly Purity

Palace of Longevity and Health

Three-Rare Studio

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Peace

Imperial Garden

Meridian Gate