On top of the eastern Wanshou Hill, Jingfu Pavilion was originally
named Tanhua Pavilion. It was renamed so after the renovation
in the Emperor Guangxu's reign. It was a major architecture frequented
by the Empress Dowager Cixi.
With five principal columns facing southward, the pavilion also
was home to various zigzag verandas. Onevery 7th day of lunar
July, Cixi would worship Niulang and Zhinu (the cowherd and the
girl weaver) here. Besides, she usually appreciated the moon on
the Mid-Autumn Festival and ascended a height here to enjoy a
distant view on the Double Ninth Festival. On rainy summer days,
she would also stay here with the palace madis. Eunuchs suffered
the most at that time for they were not allowed to use umbrella
when presenting meals to the Empress Dowager. They were often
soaked. And the names of the dishes should be auspicious ones,
for instance, mutton named Fu, deer Lu, and pheasant Shou. After
1903, she often received and treated foreign diplomats here.
It even witnessed the negotiation of Kuomintang and the Chinese
Communist Party in 1948 when the PLA closed in on Beijing city.
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