PRINCE GONG'S PALACE

Prince Gong's Palace is the most completely preserved royal residence which still exists today. Two of its owners are illustrious figures of the Qing Dynasty: one is Emperor Qianlong's favorite courtier He Shen, who as the Grant Secretary resided here between the years 1776 and 1799; the other is Prince Gong, alternatively called Yixin, Minister of Legislation during Emperor Tongzhi's reign, who lived here between the years 1852 and 1898. Hence the name of the palace.

The 61,120 square meters palace consists of the Mansion and the Garden. The Mansion covers an area of 32,260 square meters and the Garden 28,860 square meters. The palace was listed as a major historical building under state protection in 1982. The Garden opened to the public in 1988, so will the Mansion before 2008.

The Garden is also called the "Garden of Splendor", implying that it is a collection of unsurpassed beauty and charm. For visitors it's sheer delight to wander in the Garden among the green hills and gurgling streams. Adding to the Mansion's magnificence, the Garden consists of the east wing, the west wing, and the middle section. The middle section centers around the "Fu" Stele on which is inscribed a big Chinese character "fu (implying blessing)" personally handwritten by Emperor Kangxi, with a white marble arch of Western architectural style as the entrance, the Solitary Joy Peak and the Fortune Pool in the front, and the Moon Embracing Terrace and the Blessing Hall in the back. Such a layout design is enchanting and leaves a beautiful impression even after the visit is long over. The Theatrical House in the east wing is exquisitely decorated inside, and the walls and ceiling are all painted with colored patterns of twining Chinese wisterias whose purple flowers are in full bloom, making those who enjoy the performance in the Theatrical House feel as if they are sitting under the canopy of Chinese wisterias. The Tranquility House to the south of the Theatrical House, together with the lyric scenes of "Winding Path Leading to Enchanting Views", "Green Shade", "Fragrant Poems, Drunken Moon", "Autumn Tint Pavilion" constitute a garden within the Garden. In the Garden, the elegant pavilions, terraces and open halls are nestled among the towering ancient trees, hills and streams join together underneath green shades — all this combines into a beauty of harmony beyond description. The moonlit Garden is even more fascinating, the scenery being quite different from that in the daytime. These superb views and cultural relics draw attention from millions of visitors far and near.