This group of buildings was erected in 1689 and was aptly named
Ningshougong 'The Palace of Tranquil Longevity'; for it was here
that the Emperor Qianlong had intended to live in retirement.
The complex was a scaled down replica of the Forbidden City. Following
reconstruction in 1772, it was renamed Huangjidian (The Hall of
Imperial Supremacy) although the rear hall continued to be known
as Ningshougong. Despite his original intentions, Qianlong did
not come to live here after all.
Now an exhibition of famous paintings dating from the Jin dynasty
to the Qing dynasty is on show in this palace. The halls and adjacent
rooms house a collection of more than 100,000 works.
Standing at Huangjimen, the Gate of Imperial Supremacy, look south
and you can see The
Nine Dragon Screen.
On the north side of Ningshougong (The Palace of Tranquil Longevity)
is The Hall of Joyful Longevity
(Leshoutang).