The Forbidden City, as the essence of Chinese history, contains the grandeur and vicissitudes of thousands of years. In this vast palace complex, the Qianqing Palace, as one of the three palaces of the Forbidden City, is located on the central axis of the Forbidden City, with a long history and profound cultural heritage. This article will take you through time, walk into the Qianqing Palace, and explore the royal residence.
The historical origin of the Qianqing Palace
Qianqing Palace, located in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, is the place where sixteen emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and handled daily affairs. It was built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, and the current Qianqing Palace was built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, and is one of the well-preserved ancient buildings in the Forbidden City. The name of this palace is based on the philosophical ideas in "Zhou Yi" and "Lao Tzu", Qianweitian, which means "the place where the true son of heaven lives".
Palace architectural style
Qianqing Palace is the top of the palace with yellow glazed tiles and heavy eaves, is located on the single-layer white marble platform, is 20 meters high, the corridor is 9 rooms wide, and the depth is 5 rooms, symbolizing the respect of the Ninety-Five, the scale is grand, and the shape is solemn. The bright room in the palace adopts the form of reduced columns, which effectively expands the interior space.
The furnishings and decorations in the Qianqing Palace are even more luxurious and exquisite. The pattern of carving two dragons playing with pearls on the golden door in the palace, the image is realistic, the color painting of the double dragon is pasted with gold on the eaves of the inner and outer eaves, the round case of the dragon on the ceiling, the ground of the gold brick paving tung oil plastering joints, the royal seat, the mahogany screen, the delicate royal porcelain, all reveal the respect and luxury of the ancient emperors.
Every year around the winter solstice, sunny days, when the sun shines on the gold bricks on the ground in the Qianqing Palace, it will be reflected on the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque hanging in the main hall, "Zhengda Guangming" and the five golden dragons under the plaque will be lit up by the sun from west to east over time, emitting dazzling golden light, this wonder is called "Sunshine Golden Dragon".
Qianqing Palace, it is a witness of history, the inheritance of culture, in this magnificent and mysterious building complex, not only will appreciate the majesty of the ancient court, but also can feel the precipitation of history and the charm of culture. You might as well travel through the millennium on this winter day and experience the magnificence and vastness of the Forbidden City.
Autumn and Winter Check-in Challenge