Palace of Double Glories in the Forbidden City

The Palace of Double Glories in the Forbidden City is the general name of a palace complex, which mainly consists of three buildings in one courtyard, i.e. the Hall of Respect in front, the Pa/ace of Double Glories in the middle, the Lodge of’ Emerald Clouds at the back. The Lodge of Fresh Fragrance is located on its east and the Garden of Creating Happiness is on the west. In the Ming dynasty, this area was known as “Five Western Courtyards” and used as the princes’ residences. At the age of seventeen, the Qianlong emperor of the Qing dynasty got married here as a prince. After he ascended the throne, his former residence was upgraded according to feudal rules, so it was renamed to the Palace of Double Glories and reformed in a large scale into a luxurious palace with its own style.

He Hall of Respect played the role of sitting room, where there are a throne in the middle for him to accept felicitations and a horizontal board inscribed with the Chamber of Joyful Benevolence written by him when he was granted the title“Treasured Prince” in the spring of the twelfth year f the Yongzheng period (1734). The Palace of Double Glories was his bedroom and its west part was his nuptial chamber. His wife‘s dowry a pair of nanmu cupboards is still standing against the north wall. Situated at the back, the Lodge of Emerald Clouds served as his study. Qianlong emperor also initiated verse linking at tea banquet,which became an important cultural activity in the Palace of Double Glories.

Relevant attractions in the Forbidden City

Hall of Literary Brilliance
Pavilion of Literary Profundity
Palace of Benevolent Tranquility
Hall of Eminent Flowers
Hall of Central Uprightness
Pavilion of Rain of Flowers
Palace of Double Glories
Lodge of Fresh Fragrance
Garden of Creating Happiness
The Three Southern Courtyards
The Hall of Gathering Fragrance