Mukden Palace facts for kids
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Bird's-eye view of the Mukden Palace
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| Established | 1955 |
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| Location | No. 171, Shenyang Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning |
| Type | Art museum, Imperial Palace, Historic site |
| Visitors | 1.6 million |
| Area | 6 hectares |
| Built | 1625, 1631, 1780 |
| Architect | Nurhachi, Hong Taiji, Qianlong Emperor |
| Architectural style(s) | Chinese architecture |
| Website | (English language version) (Chinese language version) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | The Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty in Shenyang |
| Part of | Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv |
| Inscription | 1987 (11th Session) |
| Extensions | 2004 |
The Mukden Palace (also called the Shenyang Imperial Palace) was once a grand home for emperors. It was the main palace for the early Qing dynasty in China. Building started in 1625. The first three Qing emperors lived here from 1625 to 1644. After the emperors no longer ruled China, the palace became a museum. Today, you can find it in the city of Shenyang, Liaoning.
Contents
History of the Mukden Palace
How the Palace Was Built
Construction of the Mukden Palace began in 1625. It was started by Nurhaci, who founded the Later Jin dynasty. More buildings were added by 1631, during the time of Nurhaci's son, Hong Taiji.
The palace was designed to look like the famous Forbidden City in Beijing. However, the Mukden Palace also shows special styles. You can see influences from Manchu and Tibetan designs.
Changes Over Time
In 1644, the Qing dynasty took over China. They moved their main palace to Beijing. This meant the Mukden Palace was no longer the emperor's official home. It became a special regional palace instead.
Later, in 1780, the Qianlong Emperor made the palace even bigger. Emperors would often visit the Mukden Palace for part of each year.
From Palace to Museum
In 1955, the Mukden Palace was turned into a museum. It is now called the Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum.
In 2004, it became a UNESCO World Heritage List site. It is part of the "Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" which also includes the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Structure of the Palace
The Mukden Palace covers a large area, about 60,000 square meters. It has over 300 buildings and 20 courtyards. The palace is divided into three main parts: the East Section, Middle Section, and West Section. The Middle Section is the most important part.
The East and West Sections were built during the time of Nurhaci. The East Section has a unique design. Its buildings are arranged like the "Eight Banners" system. This shows a mix of Manchu, Han, and Mongol building styles.
The Middle Section was built when Hong Taiji was emperor. Its buildings are set along a central line. Other buildings are placed evenly on both sides. The West Section was added later, in 1783.
The palace buildings were carefully planned. Each part had a clear purpose. The overall design shows how the Manchu people lived.
East Section Buildings
The Dazheng Hall and the Shiwang Pavilion were built in 1625. This area was used for important ceremonies. It also served as offices for the "Eight Banners" government.
The Dazheng Hall is a special octagonal building. It has a yellow roof with green tiles. Its design includes traditional Han Dynasty features. You can also see religious symbols like Cintamani and Sanskrit decorations.
Middle Section Buildings
Buildings like Daqing Gate, Chongzheng Hall, Fenghuang Building, and Qingning Palace were built between 1627 and 1635. This part was where the emperor did his political work. It was also where the royal family lived.
The Fenghuang Building is a key part of the Middle Section. It was built on a 4-meter-tall brick platform. Emperors used this palace for banquets. Inside, some rooms have a "Kang bed-stove." This is a traditional way to stay warm in northern China. The chimney is at the back, which is a Manchu building style.
West Section Buildings
The West Section includes Xitai, Jiayintang, Wenshangge, and Yangxizhai. These were built in 1782. When an emperor visited Shenyang, this area was for reading books and watching plays. It also stored a huge collection of books called the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries".
The design of this section shows the emperor's importance. It highlights the strict rules of the old imperial system.
Collections at the Museum
Today, the Mukden Palace Museum has many valuable items. These collections come from the Qing imperial family. They include beautiful porcelain, enamel, and lacquerware. You can also see sculptures, paintings, and embroidered items.
The museum's collections show the history and culture of the early and late Qing dynasty. They include old costumes and palace art. These items have great cultural and artistic value.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio Mukden para niños
