Chengqian Palace

　　Chengqian Palace, one of the six eastern palaces in the inner court, was constructed in the 18th year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty (1420), originally named Yongning Palace. It was renamed Chengqian Palace in the eighth month of the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign (1632). The palace was renovated in the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign (1655) and underwent minor repairs in the 12th year of the Daoguang reign (1832).

　　The palace consists of two courtyards. The main gate faces south and is called the Chengqian Gate. The front courtyard’s main hall is Chengqian Palace itself, which features a five-bay wide structure, a yellow glazed tile hip-and-gable roof, five ornamental beasts on the roof ridges, and single-eave, single-ang roof brackets under the eaves. The interior has painted beams and carved columns. There are carved doors and windows, and the floor is paved with square bricks. The ceiling is decorated with colorful paintings of a pair of phoenixes. The central room hangs a plaque inscribed with Emperor Qianlong’s calligraphy “Virtue and Gentleness.” In front of the hall is a spacious terrace.

　　On the east and west sides, there are three-bay auxiliary halls, each with a door in the central bay. They feature yellow glazed tile flush-gable roofs, with scrollwork decorations under the eaves. In the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign (1634), plaques were hung on the east and west auxiliary halls, inscribed “Zhen Shun Zhai” (Chamber of Chastity and Docility) and “Ming De Tang” (Hall of Bright Virtue).

　　The back courtyard has a five-bay main hall with a door in the central bay, a yellow glazed tile flush-gable roof, and brackets under the eaves. The side rooms also have five bays each, all with central bay doors, yellow glazed tile flush-gable roofs, and scrollwork decorations. At the southwest corner of the back courtyard, there is a well pavilion. This palace retains the layout from its original construction in the Ming Dynasty.

　　During the Ming Dynasty, this palace housed noble consorts. In the Qing Dynasty, it was the residence of imperial concubines. Noble Consort Donggo, favored by Emperor Shunzhi, Empress Xiaochengchun and Noble Consort Lin of Emperor Daoguang, Noble Consort Jia, Imperial Concubine Yun and Imperial Concubine Wan of Emperor Xianfeng all once lived here.

　　Chengqian Palace is not only famous for its pear blossoms but also holds one of the most poignant love stories in the history of the imperial palace over the centuries. In the early Qing Dynasty, Noble Consort Donggo, deeply beloved by Emperor Shunzhi, resided here.

　　One can imagine how many times Noble Consort Donggo and her beloved strolled beneath the flowers and moonlight here, whispering in the night, exchanging sweet nothings, pledging eternal love—who could say these pear blossoms did not bear witness to their romance? A renowned literati of the time, Wu Weiyu, wrote a poem titled “Ode to the Buddha at Mt. Qingliang,” which, though not naming names, clearly depicted the love story that unfolded in this “courtyard of pear blossoms.” The poem reads: “Feast music plays as silk and paulownia strings sound, the crescent moon filters through palace locust trees. Hand in hand, they suddenly sigh—joy reaches its peak and gives way to slight sorrow.” Later, when Noble Consort Donggo passed away, during autumn, Wu Weiyu wrote again: “Grieving under the chill wind, crickets chirp in the deep palace. Frost envelops layers of trees, and lotus flowers lose their pristine hues. Pity the ‘thousand-mile grass,’ fallen and drained of color.” Here, the “thousand-mile grass” subtly refers to the character “Dong” (董).

　　Historical records state that Emperor Shunzhi spared no expense for Noble Consort Donggo’s funeral. Overwhelmed with grief, he ordered the palace eunuchs and maids to wail loudly for her. Those who cried sincerely were rewarded, hence “minor officials joined in loud lamentation, and were gifted clothing or a fur robe.”

　　Legend has it that Noble Consort Donggo was the famed Jiangnan beauty Dong Xiaowan. However, due to scarce historical records, this remains an enigmatic tale passed down through generations.

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 Compassion and Tranquility

Hall of Three Rarities

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Health

Imperial Garden

Palace of Eternal Spring