Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshoutang)

View a tour plan to Tian'an men Square and Forbidden City

The hall was Emperor Qianlong's study after his abdication. It is spacious and has a number of lobbies. In 1894, Emperor Dowager Cixi, having ostensibly handed over power to Emperor Guangxu, lived here also, sleeping in the west warmth chamber. Her 60th birthday celebration was also held here.

Outside of the northern gate of the hall, the largest jade sculpture in the Forbidden City is placed. The sculpture is named Duyu Trying to Control Water and weighs 1.07 tons. The jade was quarried at Xinjiang, and freighted to Beijing, then to Yangzhou where it was carved. Ten years passed before the finished sculpture was returned to Beijing. The delicately designed and superbly sculpted jade is very eye-catching.

Now the hall and adjacent Yangxingdian (Hall of Temper Cultivation) exhibit antique objects of gold, silver and jade as well as imperial costumes and other artefacts. The priceless ivory mat deserves special attention. It is 216 cm long and 139 cm wide, made of delicate ivory strips. It is said that the mat was woven about 250 years ago.

View a tour plan to Tian'an men Square and Forbidden City

Hall of Mental Cultivation

The Meridian Gate

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

The Hall of Central Harmony

Hall of Preserved Harmony

Huge Stone Carving

Gate of Celestial Purity

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union

The Exhibition Halls

Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility

Six Western Palaces

Hall for Ancestry Worship

Six Eastern Palaces

Nine Dragon Screen

Palace of Tranquil Longevity

Imperial Garden in Forbidden City

Palace of Celestial Purity