Behind the Corridor of Union is the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong), a yin (earthly, female) counterpart of the yang (heavenly, masculine) Palace of Heaven Purity. Within the Ming, this corridor was the sleeping quarters of the empresses. It continued to bear this identify in the course of the Qing, although in reality the empresses didn’t keep right here. Within the Qing dynasty, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was rebuilt in order that its entrance stood on the east finish of the south facet of the corridor reasonably than within the middle, as was the final rule within the Forbidden Metropolis. This characteristic, and the presence of heated beds (kang) inside, will be defined by the truth that in the course of the Qing dynasty the palace was used as a shrine for personal Manchu shamanistic practices. There was a each day ritual sacrifice to some 15 gods, together with Sakyamuni Buddha and a quantity of Mongolian deities. 4 pigs have been supplied in sacrifice every day, whereas at main rituals within the spring and autumn personally attended by the emperor and empress, 39 swine went up in smoke. A number of of the Qing emperors and empresses lodged within the east “heated chamber” hooked up to this corridor on their three- day honeymoon. The buildings behind the corridor to the north housed the imperial medical clinic and pharmacy.
Within the northeastern nook of the courtyard, behind the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, is a small show of European and Chinese language toys from the 18th and nineteenth centuries. It shouldn’t be missed.
Passing north by way of the Gate of Earthly Tranquility (Kunming Males) we come to the Imperial Backyard (Yuhua Yuan), components of which date again to the Ming. This backyard was just one of the various retreats the emperors had at their disposal in Peking, however in spite of its proximity they tended to spend much less time right here than within the huge grounds of the backyard palaces at Zhongnanhai, the western suburbs (within the Yuanming Yuan, Yihe Yuan and Yuquan Shan) and Chengde (previously Jehol or Rehe, dwelling to the Mountain Retreat for Avoiding Warmth). On this palace backyard an enormous array of disparate architectural parts is crowded right into a small area, but it nonetheless gives the look of spaciousness in comparison with the extra claustrophobic close by residential courtyards.
The paths are adorned with charming mosaic designs of auspicious crops and animals. The rockery hill within the north half of the backyard dates from the Ming Wanli interval. The emperor and his consorts would climb to the highest of this man-made mountain on a number of events in the course of the yr: when the paths of the constellations referred to as the Herding Boy and Weaving Woman crossed within the heavens for his or her annual assignation; on the Mid-autumn Pageant to achieve a nice view of the total moon; and on the ninth day of the ninth month, the Double-Ninth Pageant, when it was customary to climb to a excessive place (denggao). These events have been additionally celebrated by the final populace. Reginald Johnston, Puyi’s English-language trainer, lived for a time in an house within the southwest part of this backyard, now a small store.
