The Shenyang Imperial Palace, located at No. 171, Shenyang Road,
Shenhe District in Shenyang City, is the only existing royal palace
in China outside of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The main
structure of the palace was built in 1625 when Nurhachi was in
power. It was finished in 1636 by his son Abahai (Huangtaiji).
Nurhachi and Abahai were both founding emperors of the Qing
Dynasty.
Covering an area of more than 60,000 square meters (about 71,760
square yards), the Shenyang Imperial Palace is one twelfth the size
of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The palace consists of more than
300 rooms, formed around 20 courtyards.
The palace can be divided into three sections-the eastern
section, the middle section and the western section. Each section
boasts of unique characteristics.
The eastern section contains the very impressive Hall of Great
Affairs (Da Zheng Dian). Here emperors ascended the throne, enacted
imperial edicts, and welcomed victorious generals and soldiers. A
group of pavilions, known as the Ten Kings Pavilion, stand to its
east and west. They formerly served as the place where emperors and
leaders from the eight banners (Ba Qi) settled national affairs.
This architectural style of Shenyang Imperial Palace is unique. The
style of the buildings, which displays an amalgamation of Han,
Manchu and Mongolian cultures, all originated from the shape of a
nomadic tent. The eastern section of the palace is representative
of the whole palace.
The middle section starts from the Da Qing Gate, with Chong
Zheng Dian (Jin Luan Dian), the Phoenix Tower and Qingning Palace
arranged on a central axis from south to north. Chong Zheng Dian is
the place where Abahai held court. It is the most important
building in the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The Phoenix Tower, a
three-storied building, was the highest structure in the whole city
at that time. Qingning Palace was the bedchamber for Abahai and his
concubines.
The western section was constructed by order of Emperor Qianlong
(1711-1799). Its main structure is the Wen Su Pavilion. In front of
this, there are the Opera Stage and Jiayin Hall and behind it is
the Yang Xi Room. The Wen Su Pavilion, which contains the Complete
Collection of Four Treasures, has a black roof because black was
considered to represent water which could be used to extinguish a
fire to protect the priceless books contained inside.
The Shenyang Imperial Palace houses many ancient cultural
relics, such as Nurhachi's sword and Abahai's broadsword. There are
also many artworks displayed here, such as paintings, calligraphy,
pottery, sculptures and lacquer ware.
Besides the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Shenyang Imperial
Palace is the only other existing palace complex in China. Within
its walls much is revealed about the early Qing Dynasty. It was
listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2004 as an
extension of the Forbidden City and is now the most popular and
renowned tourist attraction in Shenyang.
Travel tips:
Admission fee: 50 yuan
Opening hours: 08:10 to 17:00
Recommended time for a visit: One hour
Bus route: 213,222
(travelchinaguide.com )
