Built in 1420, this palace has been the residence of numerous empresses, imperial concubines and consorts. It's one of the six eastern palaces in the Forbidden City's inner court, and today is given over to museum space.


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1. Palace of Great Brilliance

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The northeasternmost of the six eastern palaces of the Forbidden City, it started out as a residence for concubines, and later became a library.

2. Palace of Celestial Favour

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One of the six eastern palaces, this dates from 1420, and was used as a residence of imperial concubines. Today it houses a museum displaying a range of…

3. Palace of Prolonging Happiness

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The most unique of the Forbidden City's six eastern palaces, the Palace of Prolonging Happiness features an unfinished 20th-century Western-style building…

4. Palace of Great Benevolence

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One of the six eastern palaces in the Forbidden City, this was a residence of imperial concubines. Emperor Kangxi, most exalted of the Qing emperors (or…

5. Palace of Accumulated Purity

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One of the Forbidden City's six eastern palaces, this is notable for being the former residence of the young Xianfeng Emperor, who lived here with his mum.

6. Hall for Ancestral Worship

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The hall where emperors worshipped their ancestors (under restoration at time of research). Once held the spirit tablets of deceased Qing emperors.

7. Hall of Spiritual Cultivation

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Built in 1776, the Hall of Spiritual Cultivation was intended to be used for Qing emperor Qianlong's retirement. He never moved in, although he did throw…

8. Palace of Earthly Tranquillity

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This palace was originally the residence of the empress, and in later times became the imperial couple’s bridal chamber (they only spent the first two…