Hall of Joyful Longevity

The hall was Emperor Qianlong's study after his abdication. It is spacious and has lobbies around. In 1894, Emperor Dowager Cixi, pretending to return power to Emperor Guangxu, lived here also and slept in the west warmth chamber. Her 60th birthday celebration was also held here.

 

Outside of the northern gate of the hall, the largest jade sculpture in the Forbidden City is placed. The sculpture is named Duyu Trying to Control Water and weighs 1.07 tons. The jade was dug from in Xinjiang, and freighted to Beijing then Yangzhou to be carved. After it was finished and shipped back to Beijing, ten years pasted. The delicately designed and superbly sculpted jade is very eye-catching.

 

Now the hall and adjacent Yangxingdian (Hall of Temper Cultivation) hold exhibition of ancient gold wares, silver wares, jade wares and imperial costumes etc. The treasured ivory mat deserves special attention. It is 216 cm long and 139 cm wide, made of delicate ivory strips. It is said that the mat was woven about 250 years ago.

 

You have to walk a few distance westwards to Yuhuayuan (Imperial Garden), however there is still much to see.