Date: Early 20th century photographer: Naitou Torajirou source: a Supplement to the Collection of Manchuria Photographs (Kobayashi Photoengraving Publishing Department, 1935)
Yanqing Palace ranks second to the Eastern Palace out of the five palaces. It is the residence for Shufei, the second highest-ranking concubine. The Holy Pole, also known as Solo Pole, stands in the courtyards of Manchu houses as the focal point for shamanistic practices and sacrificial rites in heavenworshipping ceremonies.
Qingning Palace is the bedchamber of Emperor Huangtaiji and Empress Borjigit. Located behind the Phoenix Tower, it is the most uniquely Manchu-styled structure of all the buildings in Shenyang Imperial Palace. The gate of the five-bay palace is set in the second bay on the eastern side. All four bays on the western side are connected. This kind of building is often referred to as a bag house. Qingning Palace was used for holding shamanistic sacrifice, often held in the three bays on the western side, which were also called the Holy Shrine.
The Eastern Residence (Dongsuo) and the Western Residence (Xisuo)
The Eastern Residence and the Western Residence refer to the buildings on the east and west sides of Chongzheng Hall, constructed in 1746 during Emperor Qianlong's reign. These buildings had two main purposes: as short-stay palaces and as places for storing confidential records collected by the the imperial court. The Eastern Residence consists of Yihe Hall, Jiezhi Palace, A-ge Place (destroyed), and Jingdian Pavilion, and was mainly used as the dwelling place for the emperor's mother and young princes when they were accompanying the emperor during inspection tours to the Northeast. The Western Residence comprises Diguang Hall, Baoji Palace, Jisi House, and Chongmo Pavilion, and was the dwelling place for the Emperor, his wives, and concubines.
Jingdian Pavilion stands in a courtyard on the far north of the Eastern Residence. It is a two-story building with a saddle roof of glazed tiles, used for storing historical and confidential records of the Qing Dynasty.
Jingdian Pavilion in Shenyang Imperial Palace
Date: Early 20th century photographer: Naitou Torajirou source: a Supplement to the Collection of Manchuria Photographs (Kobayashi Photoengraving Publishing Department, 1935)
Diguang Hall in Shenyang Imperial Palace
Date: Early 20th century photographer: Kuroda Genji source: Photographic Collection of Shenyang's Historical Sites
Diguang Hall is a provisional palace constructed for Emperor Qianlong when he went on an inspection tour to the Northeast. It stands to the right of Chongzheng Hall. Similar in style to Yihe Hall, Diguang Hall was where the emperor reviewed memorials and handled state affairs.
World History
