On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of China was officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
[On April 30, the “ All Things Harmoniously Born “ The Palace Museum’s new exhibition invites you to visit the Zoo in the Forbidden City – Palace Museum ]
—Special Exhibition of Animal-Themed Paintings from the Palace Museum” was launched at the Wenhua Hall Painting and Calligraphy Gallery of the Palace Museum. The exhibition is fully supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and exclusively donated by the Public Welfare and Charity Research Institute. This exhibition is the first time that the Palace Museum has concentrated on displaying its rich collection of animal-themed paintings. It carefully selected 63 sets of 117 precious works from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, covering multiple categories such as birds, livestock, grass insects, and scales. Famous artists gathered, many schools, and diverse techniques. “All things are born in harmony, and all are nurtured to grow.”
This exhibition is not only a response to the artistic pursuit of “observing the world and all things and making life” by painters of all dynasties, but also a profound revelation for the current construction of ecological civilization. Welcome everyone to enter the exhibition hall of the Wenhua Hall Painting and Calligraphy Gallery to appreciate the living creatures of all creatures under the brush and ink of famous artists of all dynasties, and experience the beauty of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals!
#Palace Zoo# From April 30 to June 29 2025 , come to the Forbidden City- Palace Museum to see the #All Things in Harmony exhibition! Huang Quan’s “Rare Birds Sketches” scroll, Zhao Mengfu’s “Bamboo and Hoopoe” scroll, Lang Shining’s “Wan Jixi” scroll and other heavyweight exhibits are on display in the Wenhua Hall exhibition hall. Let’s appreciate the various styles of brushwork and feel the beauty of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals
On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of Chinawas officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
The Journey of the Great Way: Special Exhibition on Confucian Culture Exhibition location: Meridian Gate and East and West Wings Exhibition Hall…. In which the Exhibition runs from time: 2024/ November 1st- 2025 January 5th..
The Journey of the Great Road… The first unit of the exhibition is “Tracing the Past and Searching for Confucianism”. It uses archaeological evidence to show China’s ritual and music civilization before the birth of Confucius and Confucianism, and to explore the historical formation of Confucian culture. Representative exhibits include the earliest image of Confucius found in archaeological unearthed cultural relics – Confucius’s Clothing Mirror (replica) from the Tomb of Marquis Haihun of the Western Han Dynasty; pottery fragments from the Wannian Xianren Cave in Jiangxi, which are 20,000 years old, and the Jiahu bone flute that pioneered the ritual and music civilization; there are also bronze bans with animal faces from Shigushan, Baoji, which reflect the Zhou people’s prohibition system, and the renamed Fang, which reflects the “same writing system” after the Qin Dynasty unified the world. With Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty choosing Confucianism as the official orthodox thought, it laid the tone for traditional culture for more than two thousand years..
The Journey of the Great Way The second unit of the exhibition, “Transformation into the World”, extracts the development trajectory of Confucian culture from the perspectives of Confucian inheritance, the continuation of classics, and ideological tolerance, and displays the core civilization concepts of Confucian culture from the personal, social, and national levels.
The core of Confucian culture concerns the world and is sought in the heart. Confucianism advocates the family and country feelings of self-cultivation, family harmony, governance of the country, and peace in the world, with the ideal of establishing a “Great Harmony” society where the world is for the public, the virtuous and the capable are selected, and trust and harmony are emphasized. The Confucian pursuit of a better social order and moral customs is constantly endowed with the connotation of the times, reflecting the Chinese nation’s unique understanding and mission of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
午門 #MeridianGate- Wumen is the southern and largest gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, People’s Republic of China….. Unlike the other gates of the Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate has two protruding arms on either side, derived from ancient que towers traditionally used to decorate the main entrances of palaces, temples and tombs. The gate has five arches. The three central arches are close together in the main, central section; the two flanking arches are farther apart from the three central arches, and are located between the central section and the protruding arms. The centre arch was formerly reserved for the Emperor alone; the exceptions were the Empress, who could enter it once on the day of her wedding, and the top three scholars of the triennial civil service examinations, who left the exams through the central arch. All other officials and servants had to use the four side arches.
A series of buildings form the superstructure of the gate. The central one is a pavilion of nine bays wide, with double eaves. On each of the protruding side, a 13 bays-long building with a single eave, connects the two pyramidal-roofed pavilions that represented the que towers.
On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of Chinawas officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
On August 30th 2024 at the Wenhua Hall, Forbidden City Beijing , China, People’s Republic of China, the 千秋佳人 ——Special Exhibition of Figure Paintings from Past Dynasties in the Collection of the Palace Museum (Fourth Phase)” opened in the Wenhua Hall of the Palace Museum which 30the August to 31st October 2024. Paintings of ladies are a classic genre in traditional Chinese painting with a long history and important influence, including the graceful and elegant figures of the Six Dynasties, the gorgeous and plump figures of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the dignified and beautiful figures of the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the slender and delicate figures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties… The faces of the people in the paintings have significant characteristics of the times, reflecting the changes in the social status and living conditions of women in different eras as politics, customs, and fashions changed. Through the 83 precious paintings in the museum collection exhibited in this exhibition, one can not only appreciate the peerless grace of women painted by painters of all ages, but also understand the spiritual strength and daily life interest of ancient women from the moving stories that have been passed down through the ages and are related to the country .
文华殿 Wenhua Hall The Hall of Literary Brilliance , or the Hall of Literary Glory or Wenhua Hall, is a hall in the outer court of the Forbidden City, located far east of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. In the early Ming Dynasty, the hall was originally used as the residence of the heir apparent. However, starting in 1536, Ming emperors began to use the building as a secondary hall. During both the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the hall hosted grand imperial lectures on Confucian classics and served as a place for the emperor to meet his scholars and officials. The hall was also where palace examinations papers would be reviewed and marked by nine readers who would be sequestered in the hall for two days. The hall gave its name to one of the seven different titles of grand secretary in late-imperial China. Becoming Grand Secretary of Wenhua Hall was considered to be an especially prestigious honour for high-ranking Officials ….
On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of Chinawas officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
According to the Palace Museum, the “景福宫 Jingfu Palace” area in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City has officially started a two-year substantial renovation. This is also the first renovation of 景福宫 Jingfu Palace in more than 120 years. The currently determined scope of repairs includes the main hall of景福宫 Jingfu Palace, the East Gate Room, 景福宫 Jingfu Gate, verandah, southwest gate, cross-hall gate, courtyard walls, courtyard floors, etc. The focus is to eliminate potential safety hazards of cultural relic’s buildings. It is reported that Jingfu Palace was a retirement residence carefully built by Emperor Qianlong for himself. It is located in the northeast of the Ningshou Palace area of the Forbidden City. The palace is dotted with ancient trees and rockeries, and has unique porches and courtyards. After the Jiaqing period, it was used as a warehouse for storing antique treasures….
During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) built Jingfu Palace in the Forbidden City as his retirement retreat. The Jingfu Palace region has begun a two-year renovation project, the first in almost 120 years.
The Jingfu Palace of the Forbidden City, never open to the public since it was built more than 200 years ago, has begun renovations…
This is a group of buildings with green glazed tiles and yellow sheared roofs. It was the residence of the Queen Mother during the Kangxi period, and was rebuilt during the Qianlong period to serve as a banquet for Emperor Qianlong after his return to power. This is景福宫 Jingfu Palace located in the northeast of Yeongsugung District.
With the launch of the “景福宫 Jingfu Palace Research Conservation Project”, the architectural form, materials, craftsmanship, etc. of the cultural relics here have gradually become clear during the research process. At the same time, image collection and recording work is also underway, and the protection and repair work of the cultural heritage buildings in the景福宫 Jingfu Palace area will eventually be shown in the form of a documentary. A trailer allows you to first experience the confusion, thinking and breakthroughs in the research and restoration process, and appreciate the infinite charm of dialogue with history!
“景福宫 Jingfu Palace” area in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City has officially started a two-year substantive renovation. This is also the first renovation of景福宫 Jingfu Palace in more than 120 years.
景福宫 Jingfu Palace is the retirement home carefully built by Emperor Qianlong for himself. It is located in the northeast of the Ningshou Palace area of the Forbidden City. The palace is dotted with ancient trees and rockeries, and has unique porches and courtyards. After the Jiaqing period, it was used as a warehouse for storing antique treasures.
In 1910, 13 plaques were updated at景福宫 Jingfu Palace, and the calligraphy and paintings on the inner eaves were re-inscribed and framed. From then until Puyi announced his abdication, there was no record of renovation of景福宫 Jingfu Palace in the Forbidden City.
The scope of repairs currently determined includes the main hall of景福宫 Jingfu Palace, the east gate room, 景福宫 Jingfu Gate, verandah, southwest gate, hall door, courtyard wall, courtyard floor, etc. The focus is to eliminate safety hazards of cultural relics buildings, such as the three arched roofs. “Troughs,” or gutter repairs.
While景福宫 Jingfu Palace is being renovated, the National Palace Museum will also carry out digital recording, research and systematic application of the national intangible cultural heritage “Official Ancient Architecture Construction Techniques”, and will use three-dimensional laser scanning, close-up photography results combined with traditional manual measurements to complete the work Surveying and mapping of the current status of cultural relic buildings, and conducting architectural survey and current survey of information such as shape, materials, construction techniques, etc. to build a digital景福宫 Jingfu Palace.
On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of Chinawas officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
The multilingual website of the Palace Museum is committed to establishing an international website that is concise, clear, easy to use for overseas audiences, and fits the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, including tour guides, information, panoramic tours, online exhibitions, collection appreciation, cultural topics, etc. Rich immersive content describing of the most detail collection that housed within the Forbidden City collection….
Qing Qianlong, Yao Wenhan, etc., Chongqing Empress Dowager’s eighty-year longevity picture is posted (partial). This picture depicts the grand occasion of Emperor Qianlong’s 80th birthday celebration held for his mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing, in the Cining Palace in the Forbidden City where she lived in November of the 36th year of Qianlong’s reign (1771). In the palace, the Queen Mother was sitting on the throne enjoying the banquet, and Emperor Qianlong was sitting sideways to accompany her. In the east and west rooms were Emperor Qianlong’s concubines and Prince Fujin, etc., and on the platform outside the palace were the princes and grandchildren. At this time, the person in charge of the Sixth Palace was the imperial concubine Wei Jia, the biological mother of Emperor Jiaqing Yong Yan, who was posthumously named Queen Xiaoyi. This picture is the only existing painting that truly shows the emperor and his family congratulating the Queen Mother on her birthday. It has precious historical value.
Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, anonymous, all nations come to court. In order to promote the majesty of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong ordered the court painters to create several works that reflected the envoys from various countries coming to the Forbidden City to congratulate them on the New Year. This picture is one of them. The coming of all nations to court was both a family and a state matter for Emperor Qianlong. Therefore, he not only ordered the court painters to depict the lively scenes of envoys from the surrounding vassal states of the Qing Dynasty and Western countries paying homage to him, but also ordered the painters to depict the lively scenes in the paintings…
On the 7th December 2023 The warm sun is shining, gently touching the painted pillars and caressing the railings. Today 大雪 , together with the spine beasts, we are looking forward to a heavy snowfall that will decorate the Forbidden City!
Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, unknown, scroll of all nations coming to court (detail). This picture is part of the axis of “The Map of All Nations Coming to Court”. It shows the elderly Emperor Qianlong embracing the descendants of the royal family, sitting in the Ningshou Palace area that was rebuilt for him to take care of himself after returning to power, and receiving New Year’s congratulations from envoys from various countries. For Emperor Qianlong, the dynasty was important, but the prosperity of his descendants was also a top priority. Emperor Qianlong had a total of twenty-seven children in his life. In the forty-ninth year of Qianlong’s reign (1784), his great-great-grandson was born, and he was very excited about the five generations living under the same roof. Afterwards, he added the inscription “Five Blessings and Five Dynasties Hall” to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Forbidden City to commemorate his wishes, and then engraved “Five Blessings and Five Dynasties Hall Ancient and Rare Emperor Treasure” to express his contented imperial life. There is no date of creation for this painting, but according to the records of the Qing Palace Construction Office, it was painted in December of the 44th year of Qianlong’s reign (1779), so the infant in his arms at this time must be his great-grandson.
Qing Jiaqing, anonymous, Emperor Jiaqing’s ancient costumes and entertainment scroll. This picture depicts Emperor Jiaqing and his concubines dressed in traditional Han costumes, relaxing and entertaining in the courtyard. Although it is a picture of a couple having fun, Emperor Jiaqing not only occupies the main position in the painting, but is also taller than his concubines who are also seated and even the standing waiters, highlighting his supreme status as the king of a country and the head of a family. The waiter came towards them with a scroll of calligraphy and painting in his hand. The gathering of couples was about to begin in the imperial garden where peonies and magnolias were in full bloom, forming an enviable scene of love.
The 40th Anniversary Exhibition of the Palace Museum Publishing House” will be officially opened to the public on December 9 in the Wenhua Hall of the Palace Museum! This exhibition unfolds the 40-year development history of the Palace Museum Press in five units, and for the first time adopts the innovative exhibition format of “books + cultural relics”. In the exhibition hall, there are not only the “Forbidden City Book Mountain” and the “Forbidden Book City” built with thousands of fine books, but also 22 precious cultural relics, including fine porcelain from the five famous kilns of the Song Dynasty, and the Qianlong Jasper Dragon Button from the Qing Dynasty. “An ancient rare treasure of the emperor” and other exquisite cultural relics. The exhibition will last until February 25, 2024. The general audience can make an appointment to visit through the “Forbidden City Museum” applet
Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty, anonymous, empress Xiaoshencheng’s lotus scroll. Daoguang Emperor Minning had four queens in his life, the second of whom was Queen Xiaoshencheng. She is the daughter of Shu Ming’a, the third-class Chengen Gong. She entered the palace during the Jiaqing Dynasty and married Minning, who was the prince at the time. In the 13th year of Jiaqing (1808), Emperor Renzong granted her the title of successor to the Jin Dynasty. In the second year of Daoguang (1822), she was canonized as queen. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Daoguang, Princess Duan Ming Lun, but unfortunately she died in infancy. This picture shows Empress Xiaoshencheng holding a folding fan and wearing seasonal flowers as headdress while admiring the flowers and scenery in the picturesque imperial garden. A pair of mandarin ducks in the lotus pond made her stop and watch. Obviously, the flowers in the garden could not touch her heart as much as the loving mandarin ducks.
Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty, anonymous, Xiao Quancheng, Queen Xuan Palace’s spring mist scroll. This picture is a portrait of Empress Xiao Quancheng holding the prince’s hand. Empress Xiao Quancheng (1808-1840) entered the palace in the early years of Daoguang and was given the title of Quanbi. She gave birth to the third and fourth daughters of Emperor Daoguang. In the eleventh year of Daoguang (1831), when she was twenty-four years old, she gave birth to The fourth son of the emperor was Emperor Xianfeng. In the thirteenth year of Daoguang’s reign (1833), she was granted the title of Imperial Concubine by the Jin Dynasty. In October of the fourteenth year of Daoguang (1834), she was officially appointed by Emperor Daoguang as the third queen after Queen Xiao Shencheng. When she passed away, Yi𬣞 was just over nine years old. The prince she is holding in the picture may be the still young Yi𬣞. The mother and son are holding lotus leaves and lotus flowers respectively, implying the inseparable affection between flowers and leaves.
In order to implement the spirit of the “Opinions on Promoting the Work of Ancient Books in the New Era” and deepen the protection and revitalization of ancient literature and cultural relics, the Palace Museum, on the basis of sorting, protecting and researching the engraving cultural relics in the museum’s collection, has established a monastery in the southeast of Taihe Gate. The ” 九牌馆 ” was opened in the building and the court room , and the ” 吉光片雨 – Exhibition of Qing Dynasty palace engraving cultural relics collected by the Palace Museum” was held at the same time, with more than 15,000 pieces (groups) of cultural relics displayed in a warehouse-style display. This is the first time the Palace Museum has held a special cultural relics exhibition of this type since its establishment. The exhibition will be officially open to the public from October 31, 2023, in the Southeast Chonglou and Chaofang Engraving Hall inside the Taihe Gate of the Palace Museum.
Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty, anonymous, the scroll of Emperor Daoguang’s joyful autumn garden. This painting depicts the scene of Emperor Daoguang having fun in the courtyard with his concubine, elder brother and princess. With Emperor Daoguang in the open pavilion was the 26-year-old imperial concubine, Queen Xiao Quancheng, the mother of Emperor Xianfeng. At this time, she was dignified in appearance and had just been promoted to imperial concubine due to the death of Empress Xiao Shencheng. She was in charge of the affairs of the Sixth Palace and assumed the power of the empress. Therefore, she was qualified to sit with Emperor Daoguang, but according to regulations, she could not sit side by side with the emperor, so she could only sit respectfully to the side. In front of the pavilion are the lively princes, princesses and elegant concubines. In the happiness of his family, Emperor Daoguang couldn’t help but write the title of the picture “Happiness Overflowing the Autumn Garden” in his own handwriting…..
On the 11th December 2023 Overnight, the inside and outside of the palace were wrapped in white. The glazed golden roof is covered with jade dust, and the red walls and corridors are covered with silver stars. Looking far into the distance, Danchen and green tiles meet the snow, which is the same color as the sky.
There is flying snow on the red steps, and the green branches are cold and crisp. Under the city full of silver, dots of red and golden stars are scattered among them, forming a moving picture of the Forbidden City in winter.
The white snow is the base, the yellow eaves are the lines, and the dots of vermilion dance like musical notes, like falling jade beads on a plate, composing a majestic movement of snow falling on the Danchen!
The cold stamens are rustling, and the flying feathers are fluttering. The winter elves break the tranquility among the ice and snow, adding infinite vitality…
Qing Xianfeng, Anonymous, Mei Guifei, Chun Guiren and other carnival scrolls. This picture depicts Emperor Xianfeng’s concubine Mei, the noble concubine of the spring, and Qi Chang enjoying their summer fishing activities. There is a yellow paper tag with their name stuck next to each person. Among them, the highest-ranking concubine Mei Guifei is among them, with a look of joy on her face. Their eyebrows are slender and their lower lips are a little bright red, which is the typical makeup of court women in the late Qing Dynasty. As a concrete realistic painting, this picture provides relatively precious image data for studying the costumes of concubines and palace entertainment life in the Qing Dynasty….
The river body is smooth, the eaves and ridges are smooth, and the viewing pillars are in order. The captivating sky and earth trace the changes, and the charm of six hundred years becomes more apparent.
