The Forbidden City’s West Inner Court
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West Inner Court
Located to the west of The Inner Court, this area was home to the residences of the Emperor and his wives and Concubines. It is a series of residences and courtyards, each filled with artistic treasures and works of art.
1. Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation)
Originally built in 1420, the building became the residence of the Emperor from the mid-Qing Dynasty, until the founding of the Republic of China. Three Emperors died in the hall and the abdication of the throne by Emperor Xuantong, the last Emperor of The Qing Dynasty was signed here.
The hall was the Emperor’s residence, and also where he would discuss state affairs with his government officials. The room where he met with them is filled with bookcases containing books on how to rule written by previous Emperors. In the easternmost room is where the Empress Dowager Cixi would sit behind Emperor Guangxu and rule through him. She sat behind a yellow silk curtain and would tell the Emperor what to say. The westernmost room of the Hall of Mental Cultivation was where Emperors Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Yongzheng would hold private meetings with select ministers, or to issue secret orders. Located near this room is the Hall of Three Treasures (Sanxitang). It is a small square room that held incredible importance. The room was designed for the sole purpose of reading three famous pieces of calligraphy by the Emperor. The room was designed by Emperor Qianlong and it is large enough to only hold a place to sit and a shelf to hold the three calligraphic works. The three works of calligraphy were written by Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and Wang Xun, three masters. It has been discovered though that two of them were not originals.
Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces)
North of the Hall of Mental Cultivation are the Six Western Palaces. The six palaces are split down the middle by an alley. Each palace has several buildings and two courtyards. The six palaces’ names are; 7. Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshougong), 5. Palace of the Queen Consort (Yikungong), 3. Palace for Gathering Elegance (Chuxiugong), 6. Hall of the Supreme Pole (Taijidian), 4. Palace of Eternal Sprint (Changchungong), and 2. Palace of Universal Happiness (Xiangugong). They mirror the Six Eastern Palaces. Each palace is unique in decoration, but their architectural designs are similar. They are still in their original conditions and furnished as they were during the end of The Qing Dynasty.
