Shenyang Imperial Palace: A Testament to Chinese History

Liaoning Must-Visit Places / Leave a Comment

Shenyang Imperial Palace, located in Shenhe District, Shenyang City, is one of the two well-preserved palace complexes in China. It served as the imperial palace before the Later Jin dynasty entered the pass and continued to function as the Shengjing (or Fengtian) Palace after the Qing dynasty relocated its capital to Beijing.
The Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum is renowned both domestically and internationally for its exquisite ancient architectural structures and its rich collection of precious artifacts. The palace houses a vast array of cultural relics from the old imperial court, which can be admired in various exhibition halls within the palace.

The palace is divided into three parts based on architectural layout and chronological order of construction: the Eastern Route features the Dazheng Hall and the Ten Kings Pavilions, built during Nurhaci’s reign; the Central Route includes the Dazhong Que, constructed during the reign of Emperor Taizong, which encompasses the Daqing Gate, Chongzheng Hall, Phoenix Tower, as well as the Qingning Palace, Guanju Palace, Yanqing Palace, and Yongfu Palace; the Western Route comprises additional buildings such as the Wen Shu Pavilion, constructed during the Qianlong period.

The entire palace complex is characterized by its towering pavilions and majestic halls, with intricately carved beams and richly decorated interiors. The Daqing Gate, also known as the Meridian Gate, is the main entrance to the Shengjing Palace and is a five-bay hard mountain-style structure with a roof covered in glazed tiles, adorned with green edges and patterns of protruding sea dragons and various auspicious animals, all exquisitely crafted and lifelike.

The Chongzheng Hall, colloquially known as the ‘Golden Hall,’ was an important venue for Emperor Taizong Huang Taiji to conduct daily affairs and receive foreign envoys. It displays valuable cultural relics such as a golden dragon screen, a carved golden dragon throne, and a gold-plated bronze incense burner. Above the throne hangs the plaque inscribed with ‘Zhengda Guangming,’ personally written by Emperor Qianlong.

The Dazheng Hall, also known as the ‘Octagonal Hall’ or ‘Main Hall’ before the Qing dynasty’s entry into the pass, was an important palace constructed by Nurhaci and the main structure of the Eastern Route. Prior to the Qing’s entry into the pass, it was the venue for significant ceremonies such as the emperor’s ascension, New Year’s Day, birthday celebrations, and banquets. It was also used for meetings of the council of royal princes and ministers or for the promulgation of important edicts. The hall contains valuable cultural relics such as a golden dragon throne, a golden screen, and enamelled elephant-shaped vases, as well as calligraphic works left by Emperors Kangxi, Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang during their eastern tours, recreating the original appearance of the Dazheng Hall.

The Phoenix Tower, located north of the Chongzheng Hall and built on a 4-meter-high blue brick platform, is a three-story building with a triple eave mountain-style corridor, topped with yellow glazed tiles and green edges. The tower is known for being one of the ‘Eight Views of Shengjing,’ with titles such as ‘Phoenix Tower Dawn’ and ‘Phoenix Tower Viewing Tower.’ It also houses a plaque inscribed with ‘Zi Qi Dong Lai,’ personally written by Emperor Qianlong.

The Wen Shu Pavilion, built in 1782 (the 47th year of Qianlong’s reign), was specifically constructed to house the ‘Siku Quanshu’ and is the main building on the Western Route of the Shenyang Imperial Palace. The ‘Integrative Work of Ancient and Modern Books’ is also stored within the pavilion.

Wensu Pavilion’s architectural style significantly differs from other palaces, which are predominantly adorned with red and gold. Instead of the common dragon and phoenix motifs, it features themes such as ‘White Horse Presenting Books’ and ‘Ink and Scroll’, which harmonize with its function as a library, providing a sense of elegance and freshness. This is because it served as Emperor Qianlong’s reading place during his eastern tour.

Opening Hours: January 1st to April 9th – Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:30; Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 to 17:00; Mondays closed; April 10th to August 31st – Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00; Mondays closed; Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 17:30; September 1st to October 10th – Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00; Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 17:30; December 12th to December 31st – Mondays closed; Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:30; Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 to 16:30; October 11th to October 22nd – Mondays closed; Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:30; October 24th to December 11th – Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:30; Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 to 17:00; Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival from 8:00 to 17:30; New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival from 8:30 to 17:00; October 23rd from 9:00 to 16:00.

Preferential Policies: Children aged 6 (inclusive) or under 1.3 meters (inclusive) in height enter for free. Minors: Parents accompanying minors (under 18) enter for free when the parent purchases a regular ticket (one parent can only bring one minor). Full-time undergraduate or lower students with a valid student ID (excluding adult education and postgraduate stages) enter at half price. Elderly aged 60 (inclusive) to 70 (exclusive) enter at half price with valid identification; those aged 70 (inclusive) and above enter for free with valid identification.

Active-duty military personnel enter for free with valid identification. Retired military officers enter for free with valid identification. Veterans enter for free with preferential certificates. Firefighters enter for free with valid identification. Public security police enter for free with valid identification. Disabled individuals enter for free with a disability certificate issued by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.

For the blind (with visual disability level 2 or above), people with disabilities in both lower limbs, people with moderate intellectual disabilities (with intellectual disability level 3 or above) and people with mental disabilities, one accompanying person is allowed free admission.

Disabled military personnel and disabled police officers can enter for free with valid certificates.

Three categories of family members of martyrs: family members of martyrs, family members of military personnel who died on duty, and family members of military personnel who died of illness can enter for free with preferential treatment certificates.

Service Facilities:

Luggage Storage: You need to show your ID card and register by phone for luggage storage.

Scenic Area Explanation: The Shenyang Imperial Palace Explanation Station provides scenic area explanation services. Chinese explanation: 100 yuan for 1 – 5 people, 150 yuan for 6 – 10 people, 200 yuan for 11 – 20 people, 260 yuan for 21 – 30 people, and 300 yuan for over 30 people; Foreign language explanation: 200 yuan for 1 – 5 people, 300 yuan for 6 – 10 people, and 400 yuan for over 11 people.

Location of the Explanation Service Station: Daqing Gate (from April 10th to October 10th)

Toilets: There are multiple toilets in the scenic area, distributed along the roads in the scenic area and marked with eye-catching signs.

Vending Machines: There are multiple vending machines in the Shenyang Imperial Palace Scenic Area.

Must Read

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *