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A very intriguing area in the western annexes of the Forbidden City. This was the domain of the Ming & Qing consorts residence. This is only one of many royal residences of the imperial concubines. This particular residence is the most famous as the infamous Empress Cixi came here as consort and resided here for a period before she manouvered herself up to the rank of Empress. The inner palace is quite intimate size wise as a courtyard is central to the design plan. You can view part of the living quarters through the smudgy windows and it appears pretty much decorated as it was 150 years previous. It would be interesting to know if this palace was for one resident or if it was a shared accommodation with other consorts. This is the innermost sanctum of a part of the imperial family and is most intriguing indeed. Of course there is a small gift shop located on one of the side rooms.…
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Date of experience: March 2018
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Our tour guide led us through the inner court to this palace to explore. She told us that the Dragon Lady, Empress Dowager Cixi, lived here for many years and if we strolled around the area and looked in the various buildings we would see artifacts from her time here. The woodwork, painting and furniture and other artifacts are beautiful. It was fascinating to walk on the same landings and courtyards that the Empress did so many years ago. There are a great many of these little palace areas around the main Palace of Earthly Tranquility area. Explore as many as you have time for as they each have a story to share.…
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Date of experience: April 2018
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This is called the Palace of Gathered Elegance and is located in the north-east of the Six Western Palaces in the inner court. Notable among the consorts who lived here was the Empress Dowager Cixi . She lived here as Consort Yi, and gave birth to Zaichun, the only son of the Xianfeng Emperor. Walls of the roofed corridors in the courtyard are inscibed with Long Life Odes by the courtiers for the Empress's fiftieth birthday. Like most of the palaces here, it gets lost unless you take your time exploring the inner courtyard and checking out their history.…
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Date of experience: March 2017
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