Palace of Eternal Spring

　　The Palace of Eternal Spring is one of the Western Six Palaces and was the residence of imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The front hall bears an imperial plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong, reading “Cultivate Inner Virtue.”...

　　The Palace of Eternal Spring Emperors' consorts from the Ming and Qing dynasties once resided here. During the Ming Dynasty, Noble Consort Shoushou of Emperor Jiajing and Noble Consort Li of Emperor Tianqi lived in this palace. In the Qing Dynasty, Empress Xiaoxianchun, consort of Emperor Qianlong, also resided here.

　　After Empress Xiaoxianchun passed away, Emperor Qianlong ordered that her original furnishings be preserved exactly as they were, including all the cosmetic boxes and clothing she had used, so he could often revisit memories of his beloved wife. Her ceremonial headdress adorned with eastern pearls and her court beads were enshrined in the Palace of Eternal Spring. On the 25th of December each year and on the anniversary of her death, Emperor Qianlong would personally visit to pay his respects. This arrangement and practice continued for over 40 years until the 60th year of Qianlong’s reign, when he finally ordered it removed and allowed other consorts to live there.

　　In the late Qing Dynasty, after Emperor Tongzhi came of age, Empress Dowager Cixi also resided here. Empress Wanrong’s consort, the Xianfeng Emperor’s daughter-in-law—Concubine Wenxiu—also lived in this palace.

　　The roof is of the hip-and-gable style covered with yellow glazed tiles. There is a front porch, the central bay has a door with lattice-style panel doors, and the bamboo-patterned lower panels. The side bays have lattice windows, and the end bays feature step-patterned transom windows. The central bay houses a floor screen and an imperial throne, above which hangs an inscribed plaque by Emperor Qianlong reading “Cultivate Inner Virtue.” Curtains separate it from the adjacent bays, and the end bays near the north feature floor-standing heated kang beds serving as bedrooms. A pair of bronze turtles and a pair of bronze cranes are placed on the left and right sides of the hall. The east side hall is called Suishou Hall, and the west side hall is called Chengxi Hall, each with three bays and front porches, connected by corner corridors that lead to the various halls. To the south of the Palace of Eternal Spring is a theatrical stage within its courtyard. There are screened doors in the northeast and northwest corners leading to the rear hall.

　　The rear hall is the Chamber of Emotional Cultivation, built at the same time as the Palace of Eternal Spring. It has five bays with three side rooms on both the east and west. The east side hall is called Hall of Extended Longevity, and the west side hall is called Studio of Joyful Aspiration, each having three bays. There is a well pavilion in the southeast of the rear courtyard. Noble Consort Li of Emperor Tianqi from the Ming Dynasty once resided here. During the Qing Dynasty, Concubine Xi of Emperor Kangxi, Concubine Qian of Emperor Yongzheng, Empress Xiaoxianchun of Emperor Qianlong, and Empress Dowager Cixi also lived here. The eastern pearl crown, eastern pearls, and court beads of Empress Xiaoxianchun were once displayed here.

　　The surrounding corridor walls of the Palace of Eternal Spring are adorned with over ten large murals themed around “Dream of the Red Chamber,” depicting scenes such as the “Happy Red Court,” the “Bamboo Lodge,” and Grandmother Jia strolling through the Grand View Garden. The painted figures are lifelike, and the pavilions and landscapes are richly three-dimensional. The layout is grand, refined, and meticulously executed, demonstrating the exquisite skill and profound artistry of the painters from the late Qing period.

The Palace Museum

Bell and Drum Towers Palace

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Gate of Divine Prowess

Hall of Preserving Harmony

Hall of Imperial Supremacy

Hall of Martial Valor

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

Palace of Heavenly Purity

Studio of the Three Rare Treasures

Palace of Longevity and Health

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Palace of Longevity and Peace

Imperial Garden

Palace of Eternal Longevity