Yanxi Palace, Imperial residence in Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Yanxi Palace is an imperial residence on the eastern side of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. The compound holds twenty-two rooms arranged around two walled courtyards separated from the rest of the complex by tall enclosing walls.
Construction started in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty as part of the newly built Forbidden City. Major enlargements followed in 1535 to expand living quarters for empresses and secondary consorts.
The name translates to "Palace of Prolonged Happiness" and reflects the wish for long life given to its female residents. Visitors now walk through exhibition rooms displaying refined objects that once shaped daily routines for women of the imperial household.
Access follows the general Forbidden City entrance, with exhibition rooms located in the eastern section. Guided tours in several languages help explain the collection and layout of the rooms.
Reconstruction after a fire led this compound to become the first structure in the Forbidden City to receive reinforced concrete in 1931. This modern building material marked a technical turning point within the traditional palace architecture.
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