Mukden Palace

Mukden Palace is an imperial residence in Shenyang containing more than 300 rooms set around courtyards divided into three main sections. The layout reflects the way the Qing court organized their living spaces during this period.

The palace was built in 1625 under Nurhachi's leadership and served as the home of the first three Qing emperors. It lost its role as the main seat when the court moved to Beijing in 1644.

The design blends Han, Manchu, and Mongolian influences, showing the mixed heritage of the early Qing dynasty. You can see this blend in the decorations, column styles, and how spaces connect.

The complex is open daily and allows visitors to explore the rooms and courtyards at their own pace. Plan several hours to walk through all the sections and see the different areas.

The western section houses a building with a black roof that held an important imperial library collection. The dark roof color was deliberately chosen as a fire protection measure for the precious texts stored inside.

Location: Shenyang

Inception: 1955

Part of: Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang

Website: http://sypm.org.cn

GPS coordinates: 41.79583,123.45000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:32