To
the northwest of Yiyun Hall is the Hall of Joyful Longevity, the major architecture
in the living area. It used to be the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi live,
eat and deal with memorials to the throne. As the high-est political center, myriads
of important momorials to the throne were sent here and returned after Cixi read
them. Firstly built in 1750, the original two-story hall was burnt down in 1860
and restored to the present state in 1887. This traditional Chinese compound has
two courtyards, eastern and western adjacent houses. Covering and area of over
3,000 sqmeters, it consists of 49 rooms with complete structures, all linked to
each other by corridors.
In the whole Summer Palace, the Hall of Joyful Longevity extends in all directions.
Facing south, the hall situates by the side of hills and water as well. Outside
the main gate is the dock for the Empress Dowager Cixi to cast anchor. To the
north of the east gate is the very Dehe Theatre. Out of the hall, tourists can
also easily go up the hill and have a view of the scenery. Meanwhile, the Hall
of Joyful Longevity connects the imperial living area with the scenic area. There
is passage to Yiyun Hall and the Hall of Yulan Palace outside the east gate. Passing
the Yaoyue Gate out of the west gate, we will enter the well-known Long Corridor.
The hall is the only passage to the secnic spots of the front hill. The hall's
location was much favorable for the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Arranged
as when Cixi resided here, the hall is composed of the sitting room in the middle,
the bedroom and place for Cixi to read over memorials to the throne in the west,
the locker room and refreshment room in the east . A red sandalwood throne and
imperial table are installed in the middle of the sitting room, behind which are
a glass screen and a couple of peacock-feather fans. And there are two porcelain
platter with a pattern of blue flowers on it holding fruits and four guilt bronze
stoves for burning sandalwood. In the bedroom, the beddings used by Cixi are well
preserved . The red sandalwood wardrobed in the locker room was relics of the
Emperor Qianlong's reign.
On
the ceiling of the hall hung not only the traditional palace lantern but also
colorful crystal pendant electric lamps. They were all installed by Li Lianying,
the eunuch head, in 1903, who took the bribe of the German businessman. Though
died in 1908, the Empress Dowager used electric light as well as telephone, automobile,
telegraph even watched movies, most of the new inventions at the end of 19th century
the beginning of the 20th century.
Bronze deer, cranes and vases are placed in symmetry in the courtyard
of the Hall of Joyful Longevity, symbolizing that all is at peace.
Also, magnolia trees, crabapple and peony are planted here, indicating
wealth and rank. Every spring, balmy odor of the magnolia trees
spread all around, called the sea of magnolia fragrance. Unforunately,
only the one in front of the Yaoyue Gate, planted in the Emperor
Qianlong's reign, survived the several disasters. All the other
magnolia trees we see now were planted after the founding of the
P.R.China.
What catches most of people's attention is the huge green stone
in the courtyard. Theis the huge green stone in the courtyard.
The stone is eight meters long, two meters wide and four meters
tall, in fresh green. In summer, the stone will be covered with
the verdant Boston ivy, quite a lovely sight. The stone is also
famed for its unusual origin.
The high official Mi Wanzhong in Ming Dynasty took extraordinary interest in grotesque
stones. Once found this stone in Fangshan, he intended to move it to his Shao
Garden in Haidian. Taking no account of its weight, Mi Wanzhong could only leave
it alone at the roadside as he could not afford the transfer at last. It was said
that nearly 100 workers could only move it out of the hill after seven days and
got to liangxiang after another five days. Henceforth, the stone was regarded
as the inauspicious stone. More than 100 years later, the Emperor Qianlong discovered
the stone on his way to worshipping ancestors. The official Liu Yong introduced
that the smart stone would not be moved to the house of Mi Wanzhong. Acting on
impulse, the emperor had it moved to the Hall of Joyful Longevity. But the one-meter-wide
gate of the hall was broken. Theempress dowager flied into a rage, saying that,
"The inauspicious stone ruined the family of Mi Wanzhong and now broke my
door." The eloquent official Liu Yong consoled her by saying that the stone
shaped like glossy ganoderma, an auspicious sign. And the emperor named it officially
Qingzhiyou, satisfying the empress dowager. The huge stone finally found a shelter
here.
To
the northwest of Yiyun Hall is the Hall of Joyful Longevity, the major architecture
in the living area. It used to be the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi live,
eat and deal with memorials to the throne. As the high-est political center, myriads
of important momorials to the throne were sent here and returned after Cixi read
them. Firstly built in 1750, the original two-story hall was burnt down in 1860
and restored to the present state in 1887. This traditional Chinese compound has
two courtyards, eastern and western adjacent houses. Covering and area of over
3,000 sqmeters, it consists of 49 rooms with complete structures, all linked to
each other by corridors.
Arranged
as when Cixi resided here, the hall is composed of the sitting room in the middle,
the bedroom and place for Cixi to read over memorials to the throne in the west,
the locker room and refreshment room in the east . A red sandalwood throne and
imperial table are installed in the middle of the sitting room, behind which are
a glass screen and a couple of peacock-feather fans. And there are two porcelain
platter with a pattern of blue flowers on it holding fruits and four guilt bronze
stoves for burning sandalwood. In the bedroom, the beddings used by Cixi are well
preserved . The red sandalwood wardrobed in the locker room was relics of the
Emperor Qianlong's reign.
On
the ceiling of the hall hung not only the traditional palace lantern but also
colorful crystal pendant electric lamps. They were all installed by Li Lianying,
the eunuch head, in 1903, who took the bribe of the German businessman. Though
died in 1908, the Empress Dowager used electric light as well as telephone, automobile,
telegraph even watched movies, most of the new inventions at the end of 19th century
the beginning of the 20th century.
The high official Mi Wanzhong in Ming Dynasty took extraordinary interest in grotesque
stones. Once found this stone in Fangshan, he intended to move it to his Shao
Garden in Haidian. Taking no account of its weight, Mi Wanzhong could only leave
it alone at the roadside as he could not afford the transfer at last. It was said
that nearly 100 workers could only move it out of the hill after seven days and
got to liangxiang after another five days. Henceforth, the stone was regarded
as the inauspicious stone. More than 100 years later, the Emperor Qianlong discovered
the stone on his way to worshipping ancestors. The official Liu Yong introduced
that the smart stone would not be moved to the house of Mi Wanzhong. Acting on
impulse, the emperor had it moved to the Hall of Joyful Longevity. But the one-meter-wide
gate of the hall was broken. Theempress dowager flied into a rage, saying that,
"The inauspicious stone ruined the family of Mi Wanzhong and now broke my
door." The eloquent official Liu Yong consoled her by saying that the stone
shaped like glossy ganoderma, an auspicious sign. And the emperor named it officially
Qingzhiyou, satisfying the empress dowager. The huge stone finally found a shelter
here.