Palace of Earthly Honor (Yikungong)

The Palace of Earthly Honor (Yikungong), one of the Six Western Palaces in the inner court of the Forbidden City, was once home to imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1911. 

In 1872, to celebrate Empress Dowager Cixi (1835~1908)'s 50th birthday and prepare for her return to the Palace of Gathered Elegance, the two palaces were connected and decorated in a lavish style. Today, visitors can see it being restored to post-1872 state and find the traces of court life.

Step inside, and you'll be welcomed by a screen wall gate – the biggest among the inner court. It embodies ancient Chinese aesthetic of implicit beauty, hiding what lies beyond and adding a touch of mystery. 

The main hall spans five rooms, with a throne, screen, incense burner table, and a large pair of feather fans in the central room. A plaque inscribed with Empress Dowager Cixi's calligraphy hangs on the wall, bearing the message that tolerance leads to success and virtue.
 

Earthly Honor Palace Interior

   

Censers in Front of the Earthly Honor Palace

Dragon Carving on the Main Hall's Steps

 
The Hall of Well-being and Harmony (Tihedian) was Empress Dowager Cixi's dining and banquet hall. It boasts five rooms, with the middle one as a passage. The eastern pair was where she had meals, while the western pair housed her tea room. Every item here, from fine tableware to delicate teacups and even the flowerpots, was all specially customized, mirroring her opulent tastes.

During festivals, the Hall was used for banquets. For instance, during the New Year, royal members would take turns to pay homage to Cixi with the prostration etiquette, presenting their greetings and wishes. Throughout the meals, the sound of firecrackers never ceased.
    

Gate of Earthly Honor

Seated on the throne, Cixi instructed Guangxu to choose his empress and concubines. Guangxu knew he couldn't defy Cixi's wishes and hesitated. But Cixi said, "Select freely", as if she was truly open-minded. 

However, as Guangxu approached the girl he wished to make empress, Cixi winked at him to coerce him into selecting her niece instead, making Guangxu have no choice but to reluctantly follow her command.
  
Noble Consort Zheng (1568~1630), renowned for her beauty and wit, held the exclusive favor of Emperor Wanli (1563~1620) for more than two decades and resided in the Palace of Earthly Honor. 

Beyond the emperor's affection, she also aspired to wield power, aiming to replace the crown prince with her own son. However, her wishes were not granted. 

After Emperor Wanli's passing, the crown prince, who had long been her rival, ascended the throne as Emperor Taichang (1582~1620). But his reign was cut short when he suddenly passed away under mystery. It rumored that Taichang was poisoned by the red pills that Noble Consort Zheng had gifted to him.

Then, with the ascension of the next emperor, the 15-year-old Tianqi (1605~1627), Zheng saw another opportunity to seize power. She plotted to wield control over the empire, exploiting the emperor's youth and inexperience. But fortunately, her schemes were thwarted by vigilant ministers.
 
Upon witnessing her still breathing, Chongzhen drew his sword and struck her shoulder. Yuan collapsed into a pool of her own blood, and assuming she was dead, Chongzhen ceased his attack. 

Miraculously, Yuan was later rescued and revived, becoming one of the few Ming Dynasty (1368~1644) concubines to survive into the Qing Dynasty (1644~1911).
 
Empress Nala (1718~1766), once beloved by Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), rose through the ranks to the prestigious Empress. However, during a southern tour, she was secretly deposed by Qianlong and imprisoned in the rear hall of the Palace of Earthly Honor. 

As Qianlong claimed, Empress Nala had gone mad, cutting her hair and cursing him—an act forbidden in Manchu tradition, reserved only for widows mourning their husbands. Following this, Qianlong destroyed all portraits of Nala and even refused to hold a funeral for her after her death.

The reasons behind Nala's fall from grace vary widely. Some say she angered the emperor by advising against taking a southern prostitute as a concubine, fearing it would tarnish the royal dignity. 

Others whisper that, as Empress, Nala sought to have her son crowned Crown Prince, a request in line with court tradition. Yet Qianlong had already chosen Noble Consort Ling's (1727~1775) son as the heir and planned to elevate Ling to Empress. Nala's proposal clashed with the emperor's wishes, leading to her deposition.
  

Jewelry Bonsai Exhibited in the Palace

Gilded Clock Exhibited in the Palace

Visitors strolling through the main hall's corridors today can admire intricate clocks and jeweled bonsai from the glass windows. But once, this scene was interrupted unexpectedly.

At 11:10 am on May 4, 2013, a man smashed a window glass with his hands, causing a cultural relic clock to fall and be damaged. In response, the Forbidden City has implemented various measures like upgrading the windows with stronger glass to better safeguard the treasures, all with the aim of ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable journey.