Discover the Qianlong Garden in the Palace Museum in Beijing, now open to the public for the first time in a century.
As China celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Palace Museum, visitors to Beijing are in for a rare treat. Starting September 30, the Qianlong Garden—also known as the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Chinese: 宁寿宫)—opens to the public for the first time in nearly 100 years.
A Hidden Gem
The Qianlong Garden is situated in the northwest corner of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity complex, which is now part of the Treasure Gallery of the Palace Museum. Emperor Qianlong built it in the 18th century as his ideal retreat for later life. The garden stretches about 160 meters from south to north and 40 meters from east to west. It is divided into four courtyards, each with a unique layout.
Walking through the garden, visitors can see pavilions, rockeries, and old trees arranged in harmony. The roofs display a dazzling mix of yellow, green, blue, and even purple tiles. The beams are decorated with Suzhou-style paintings, detailed with golden lines.
East Meets West in Imperial Design
The interiors of the garden reflect a mix of Chinese and foreign influences. In the 18th century, flat glass imported from Britain was used in the windows of the palace. There are also a glass throne, Japanese lacquer panels, and pigments such as Prussian blue, which was a new invention in Europe. These features make the Qianlong Garden a remarkable example of cultural exchange.
Today, international experts have also joined in preservation work, offering important technical support. Thanks to these efforts, the garden remains one of the best-preserved imperial retreats in the world.
Visiting Information
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:10 p.m.); closed on Mondays, except on national public holidays.
- Reservation Required: Visitors must book tickets in advance through the Palace Museum’s official channels.
- Location: Inside the Palace Museum, part of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
In addition, the Palace Museum continues to expand. According to museum officials, its collection has now reached 1.95 million items. Meanwhile, construction of the new Northern Branch is nearly complete and is expected to open in the first half of next year. This means even more treasures will be accessible to visitors in the future.
Additional reporting by Xinhua, People’s Daily, and CNS.
If you liked this article, why not read: Let’s Go For a Ride, Along the central axis of Beijing
