Journey to the Past ~ Shenyang Imperial Palace (National Level One)

The Qing Dynasty Shenyang Imperial Palace complex is located within an area covering nearly 60,000 square meters, measuring 280 meters from north to south and 260 meters from east to west. The buildings are divided into three sections: east, central, and west. The east section was built by Nurhaci, with main structures including the Dazheng Hall and the Pavilion of Ten Kings; the west section was built by Emperor Qianlong, featuring key buildings such as Jiayin Hall, Yangxi Studio, the Theater Stage, and Wensu Pavilion; the central section is the main part, constructed by Huang Taiji, with major buildings including the Great Qing Gate, Chongzheng Hall, Phoenix Tower, and Qingning Palace. The complex is organized along a north-south longitudinal axis, with three nearly parallel longitudinal axes placed side by side, forming the architectural characteristic of "three parallel axes, three parallel routes." The Shenyang Imperial Palace not only integrates artistic features from Han, Manchu, Mongol, and Tibetan cultures but also stands as a unique and precious example of ancient Chinese palace architecture. The Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum was established based on the Shenyang Imperial Palace. In the tenth year of the Tianming era (1625), Nurhaci, for strategic reasons, designated Shenyang as the capital and renamed it Shengjing. At the center of the old city of Shenyang, he built the political assembly places—the Dazheng Hall and the Pavilion of Ten Kings—marking the beginning of the construction of the Shenyang Imperial Palace. In the seventh year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1627), the central route of the Shenyang Imperial Palace, the Huang Taiji Palace, began construction. It was generally completed by the ninth year of the Chongzhen era (1636). In the first year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1644), Emperor Shunzhi ascended the throne at the Shenyang Imperial Palace. In the same year, after the Qing Dynasty moved the capital to Beijing, Shengjing (Shenyang) became the secondary capital, and the Shenyang Imperial Palace was called the "Secondary Capital Palace" or "Retained Capital Palace." The Shenyang Imperial Palace then became the temporary residence for emperors such as Kangxi and Qianlong during their eastern tours. In the thirteenth year of the Qianlong era (1748), the east and west offices on both sides of the central route of the Shenyang Imperial Palace were completed, marking the first part of the Qianlong Palace. In the forty-sixth year of the Qianlong era (1781), under Emperor Qianlong's orders, buildings such as Jiamei Hall and Wensu Pavilion were constructed, forming the later west route, and the Qianlong Palace was basically completed. In the forty-eighth year of the Qianlong era (1783), after 158 years of construction during the periods of Nurhaci, Huang Taiji, and Qianlong, the Shenyang Imperial Palace was basically completed. Through renovations and expansions during the reigns of Kangxi and Qianlong, it formed over 100 buildings and more than 500 rooms, including palaces, pavilions, towers, and studios, covering an area of 60,000 square meters.