Six Western Palaces

Xiliugong, Six Western Palaces, lies north of Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation), three palaces on each side of an alley running from north to south. The complex was originally built with the Forbidden City. The group of palaces includes Yongshougong (Palace of Eternal Longevity), Yikungong (Palace of the Queen Consort), Chuxiugong (Palace for Gathering Elegance), Taijidian (Hall of the Supreme Pole), Changchungong (Palace of Eternal Spring) and Xianfugong (Palace of Universal Happiness). Every palace has its own courtyard, the front hall and the rear hall, and annexes. They were the residences for emperors' women. Since in feudal China, emperors were polygamists, it was exaggerated that they had 3,000 wives. Since polygamied emperors usually had at least dozens of ladies, these palaces were necessary to lodge them. Now they are displayed to the public with original settings untouched.

Chuxiugong (Palace of Gathering Elegance) is the most famous one among the six since the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi lived here for a long period. When hierarch Cixi was in power, although she was behind the throne, she spent huge amount of money to decorate the palace, making it the most luxurious one to celebrate her 50th birthday in 1884. Now it is exhibited to visitors same as that time.

Outside on the stone stands, there are a couple of bronze dragons and a couple of bronze deer. Inside, original delicate pieces of furniture and decorations now on display are all original pieces when Cixi used.

Go northeast to Yuhuayuan (Imperial Garden).