In the northern boundary of the Treasure Garden is the site where Zhen (the Pearl Concubine), favourite consort of Emperor Guangxu, was said to have been thrown down a well and killed on orders from Empress Cixi.
The eight-nation allied forces had invaded Beijing, the Forbidden City was in chaos and Cixi's imperial court was preparing to flee. Zhen had refused to commit suicide, as the story goes, and so met her fate in this much more grisly fashion.
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1. Hall of Spiritual Cultivation
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Built in 1776, the Hall of Spiritual Cultivation was intended to be used for Qing emperor Qianlong's retirement. He never moved in, although he did throw…
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The northeasternmost of the six eastern palaces of the Forbidden City, it started out as a residence for concubines, and later became a library.
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4. Belvedere of Cheerful Melodies
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5. Palace of Accumulated Purity
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One of the Forbidden City's six eastern palaces, this is notable for being the former residence of the young Xianfeng Emperor, who lived here with his mum.
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One of the six eastern palaces, this dates from 1420, and was used as a residence of imperial concubines. Today it houses a museum displaying a range of…
7. Palace of Prolonging Happiness
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The main hall of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (宁寿宫, Níng Shǒu Gōng) built around 1771 for Qing emperor Qianlong's retirement, though he never moved in…