Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility
Kunninggong, Palace of Terrestrial tranquility, was first built in 1420 and restored in 1655. It was the only Manchurian architecture in the Forbidden City and residence palace of the empress during the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty. However, in the Qing dynasty, the bridal emperor and empress only lived in the East Warmth Chamber of this palace for a few days. Later the emperor would move to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The empress would move to other palace. The emperor's bridal chamber in the East Warmth Chamber was painted red and there were palace lamps pasted with red Double Happiness to heat up happy atmosphere. The delicate and exquisite embroidered bed curtain and quilt both features a hundred playing children. The emperors all expected more children to show imperial family's prosperity.
In the West Warmth Chamber, sacrifice would be held every day. On important occasions, emperors and empresses would preside over the ceremonies themselves.
Behind the palace, it is the Kunningmen, the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility, with imperial doctors' duty room, dispensary and eunuchs duty room flanking it.
Do you smell a garden? Go north to Yuhuayuan (Imperial Garden).