[Faculty Introduction]
About This Promotion
Throughout history, emperors and kings have often cherished treasures, famous calligraphy and paintings, as well as dazzling rare gems and jewels.
The Forbidden City was not only the seat of imperial rule but also a grand treasury of rare treasures from across the land. This activity will explore the history and stories behind jewelry, gold and silver artifacts, clocks, as well as the Stone Drums—renowned as the "National Treasure" and considered China's oldest artifact—along with the Great Jade Mountain depicting Yu the Great Taming the Floods, a prized collection of the Forbidden City.
At the Clock and Watch Gallery, you will explore exquisite timepieces and ingenious mechanisms from Switzerland, France, the UK, and Germany spanning centuries. The highlights include key artifacts such as the Automaton Clock with a Writing Figure and the Gilt-Copper Elephant-Drawn Chariot Clock. The exhibition also showcases refined clockworks produced by Guangzhou and the Imperial Workshops of the Forbidden City, like the Sandalwood Double-Eaved Pavilion Clock with Enamel Inlays.
Activity Details:
We will explore exhibition areas including the Jewelry Hall, Gold and Silver Ware Hall, Stone Drum Hall, Hall of Tranquil Longevity, and Nine-Dragon Wall, where you can admire imperial treasures and learn about rare and precious artifacts:
*A ruby weighing over 2000 carats
* A court bead necklace that carries the year, month, day, four seasons, pentads, and solar terms on one's body
*Court beads used for enthronement, death anniversaries, moon worship, heaven worship, and earth worship ceremonies
* Empress Xiaojing's Phoenix Crown unearthed from Emperor Wanli's Dingling Mausoleum - featuring filigree craftsmanship, gemstone inlay techniques, kingfisher feather artistry, and pearl setting workmanship
*Official hats with peacock feathers, headdresses, phoenix coronets, and court hats;
*Dongzhu court beads, necklaces, and the wearing of court beads, as well as the use of various court beads on different occasions;
Exquisite jewelry including hairpins, hair ornaments, thumb rings, headpieces, earrings, and more.
Diamonds, jade, and gemstone treasures
*Fasting token;
* The Seven Buddhist Treasures, Eight Auspicious Symbols, and Buddha's Nest
* Mandala of Tibetan Buddhism
Golden Pagoda
Gold Ruyi
* The eight golden ceremonial objects in the imperial procession - incense burner, incense box, spittoon, vase, etc.
* The stories of the Fragrant Pavilion, the mythical beast Luduan, and the Elephant Symbolizing Peace;
* Gold celestial globe inlaid with jewels;
*Gold-inlaid jadeite and tourmaline flower holders and other floral vessels;
﹡Ruyi scepters and other gold and silver artifacts;
*The magical superpowers of the mythical beast Luduan;
* National Treasure Stone Drum Pavilion - Stone Drum Inscriptions and Hunting in the Zhou Dynasty;
* The story of the Great Jade Mountain of Yu the Great Taming the Floods, weighing over 9,000 jin.
* The Nine-Dragon Wall showcases the exquisite art of glazed tiles.
*The Zhenfei Well reveals a story of helplessness and sorrow in life.
Activity Venue Images
Event highlights
