Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Palace of Earthly Tranquility
4.5
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4.5
28 reviews
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14
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9
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Candelaria B
171 contributions
Oct 2015
The Palace of Compassion and Tranquility: Where Women Reign
In the Forbidden City there was a place created especially for women. Indeed, when a king died, this was the place where his spouse and lovers went to live. Jiajing, Ming Dynasty built the Palace in the 15th century. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, a famous woman politician, dwelled here. Folk tales said she still dwells there.
It is located to the west of the Gate of Great Ancestors or Longzongmen, in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City. The map given to you at the entrance is easy to follow. It is divided in three sections that you must see.
1- Hall of Compassion and Tranquility:
The Gate of Compassion and Tranquility or Ciningmen, stands to the north of the square. Going through the gate, one will find a terrace that leads to the Hall of Compassion and Tranquility. There are four bronze gilded incense burners. Look up and you would see two horizontal scrolls written by Emperor Qianlong.
2- Grand Hall for Worshipping Buddha or Dafotang is the largest hall for worshipping Buddha in the Forbidden City. It has seven rooms decorated with beautiful and ancient yellow glazed tiles. You can see various images of Buddha, pagodas, scriptures, and instruments used in Buddhist ceremonies. Some instruments still can play music.
3- Garden of Compassion and Tranquility or Cining Garden is located to the
south of the narrow square. Imagine you are now in the same garden where empress dowagers spent time strolling and relaxing. Look at the trees. There are Pines, Cypresses, Gingko and more.
All throughout you can see relics of a rich Imperial China. Remember, these are monuments and pieces dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties’. Do not rush, observe, take it in and be grateful for what they crafted and we can now simply relish.
In the Forbidden City there was a place created especially for women. Indeed, when a king died, this was the place where his spouse and lovers went to live. Jiajing, Ming Dynasty built the Palace in the 15th century. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, a famous woman politician, dwelled here. Folk tales said she still dwells there.
It is located to the west of the Gate of Great Ancestors or Longzongmen, in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City. The map given to you at the entrance is easy to follow. It is divided in three sections that you must see.
1- Hall of Compassion and Tranquility:
The Gate of Compassion and Tranquility or Ciningmen, stands to the north of the square. Going through the gate, one will find a terrace that leads to the Hall of Compassion and Tranquility. There are four bronze gilded incense burners. Look up and you would see two horizontal scrolls written by Emperor Qianlong.
2- Grand Hall for Worshipping Buddha or Dafotang is the largest hall for worshipping Buddha in the Forbidden City. It has seven rooms decorated with beautiful and ancient yellow glazed tiles. You can see various images of Buddha, pagodas, scriptures, and instruments used in Buddhist ceremonies. Some instruments still can play music.
3- Garden of Compassion and Tranquility or Cining Garden is located to the
south of the narrow square. Imagine you are now in the same garden where empress dowagers spent time strolling and relaxing. Look at the trees. There are Pines, Cypresses, Gingko and more.
All throughout you can see relics of a rich Imperial China. Remember, these are monuments and pieces dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties’. Do not rush, observe, take it in and be grateful for what they crafted and we can now simply relish.
Written 8 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LG_Kay
Singapore, Singapore7,512 contributions
Sept 2019
It is one of the 3 main halls of the inner court of the Forbidden City, located just before entering the Imperial Garden. It was the residence of the Empress during the Ming Dynasty. Two rooms at the east side of the palace were used as the nuptial chamber for the emperor’s wedding.
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmacwi
Wisconsin223 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
This is the northernmost palace in the Forbidden City. Located just before entering the Imperial Gardens. Similar to the other Palaces/Halls in the Forbidden City, worth stopping at to see what it is. Be prepared to battle crowds.
Written 28 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RayParks
Adelaide, Australia2,862 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
It’s the northern most of the three main halls of the Inner Court. In the Ming dynasty, it was the residence of the Empress. But in the Qin dynasty, Manchu rulers converted the large portions of the palace for Shamanist worship. However, two rooms were retained to be used on the Emperor's wedding night. As the name of the palace written in Manchu script first (i.e., right), Manchu influence had taken over the original purpose overtime.
Written 2 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,022 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Located within the inner court of the Forbidden City, this was where the Empress lived during the Ming Dynasty. However, during the Qing Dynasty, this was the nuptial chamber of the Emperor and Empress and the alter for worshipping Shamanism. This is the only example of Manchurian architecture in the Forbidden City.
Written 30 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,744 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
This is just another palace in the Forbidden city.
While it somehow pales in comparison to the other big palaces, it's still worth a 10-minute visit.
While it somehow pales in comparison to the other big palaces, it's still worth a 10-minute visit.
Written 7 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roses_travelgram2016
Chandler’s Ford, UK578 contributions
June 2016
Such a unique and beautiful place you have to visit it in person to appreciate its uniqueness . Chinese architecture at its best, a well preserved part of Chinese imperial history.
Written 25 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaddysSweetTreats
Donegal116 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Again this is inside the palace museum or forbidden city as U.S. Foreigners call it! Each palace is similar but not the same. The stories are beautiful, the architecture and detail in painting are magnificent!
Written 18 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yesiltren
Japan1,023 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Beautiful palace, the colour and decor of the ceiling reminds me that of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Very beautiful so I took some pictures here. You can not enter inside the palace, but worth seeing.
Written 28 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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