Shenyang Imperial Palace: Liaoning World Heritage Gallery

Author: Luo Lixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Before the Qing Dynasty conquered the Central Plains, its imperial palace was located in Shenyang. After the capital was moved to Beijing, this palace was referred to as the "Secondary Capital Palace" or "Remainder Capital Palace." Later, it was called the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The Shenyang Imperial Palace covers an area of over 60,000 square meters, with its architectural structures well-preserved, making it one of only two remaining palace complexes in China. Its scale is much smaller than the Beijing Forbidden City, which spans 720,000 square meters, but it has its own unique architectural features and is now one of Shenyang's most important tourist attractions. The Shenyang Imperial Palace was built in 1625, starting with the construction initiated by Nurhaci, the founder of the Later Jin Dynasty (the Qing Dynasty's predecessor). After Nurhaci's death, his second son, Hong Taiji, continued the construction and completed it. The architectural layout of the Shenyang Imperial Palace can be divided into three sections. The Eastern Wing consists of the Grand Council Hall and Ten Kings' Pavilions, built during the reign of Emperor Taizu (Nurhaci). The Central Wing includes the Grand Central Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Phoenix Tower, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Palace of Union, Palace of Prosperity, and Palace of Happiness, all constructed during the reign of Emperor Shunzhi (Hong Taiji). The Western Wing features the Wen Su Pavilion, Jia Yin Hall, and Yang Xi Study, all added during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Although the imperial palace was already in Beijing during the Qianlong era, the emperor sometimes "visited the east" to return to Shenyang.