Ningshougong (Palace of Peaceful Longevity)

Ningshougong (Palace of Peaceful Longevity), a group of structures, were first built in 1689, and named. When rebuilt in 1772, the name was replaced with Huangjidian (Hall of Imperial Supremacy). However, the rear hall was still named Ningshougong (Palace of Peaceful Longevity). The structures here were shrunken Forbidden City since it was rebuilt for Emperor's abdication.

Now painting exhibition is held here to show famous paintings dated from the Jin Dynasty (265-420) to the Qing Dynasty. The halls and adjacent houses have a collection of more than 100,000 pieces.

Leshoutang (Hall of Happiness and Longevity)

The hall was Emperor Qianlong's study after his abdication. It is spacious and has lobbies around. In 1894, Emperor Dowager Cixi, pretending to return power to Emperor Guangxu, lived here also and slept in the west warmth chamber. Her 60th birthday celebration was also held here.

Outside of the northern gate of the hall, the largest jade sculpture in the Forbidden City is placed. The sculpture is named Duyu Trying to Control Water and weighs 1.07 tons. The jade was dug from in Xinjiang, and freighted to Beijing then Yangzhou to be carved. After it was finished and shipped back to Beijing, ten years pasted. The delicately designed and superbly sculpted jade is very eye-catching.

Now the hall and adjacent Yangxingdian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) hold exhibition of ancient gold wares, silver wares, jade wares and imperial costumes etc. The treasured ivory mat deserves special attention. It is 216 cm long and 139 cm wide, made of delicate ivory strips. It is said that the mat was woven about 250 years ago.

Yuhuayuan (Imperial Garden)

Outside of the Gate of Earthly Tranquility is Yuhuayuan (the Imperial Garden), which was built in 1417 in the Ming Dynasty. The rectangular garden covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and was the private garden of the imperial family. It was the most typical imperial garden in China. There are about 20 structures of different styles. One will be astonished that structures can keep harmony with trees, rockeries, flowerbeds and bronze incense burners in such a small space.

Qin'andian (the Hall of Imperial Peace) is the main structure in the garden and the only one on the central axis and stands in the center of the garden, encircled in a rectangular wall. It was first built in the 15th century. In front of the hall, there is a 400-year-old consort pine, symbolizing harmony of the emperor and the empress. Two gilded unicorns, supposed to protect the hall from evil spirits, guard the door. Inside the hall, Zhenwudadi (God of Water in the Taoism) was worshiped, since he was supposed to protect the Forbidden City from fire.

On the four corners of the garden, there is one pavilion at each, symbolizing the four seasons respectively. The Pavilion of Myriad Springs is the most famous one and lies in the east corner of the garden. It was built in 1535 and restored during the Qing Dynasty. This pavilion symbolizes the spring, and undoubtedly, there are also three other pavilions which represent summer, autumn and winter respectively.

Duixiushan (Gathering Beauty Hill) is a little artificial mountain with a cave. It is located in the northeast. Yujingyuan (Pavilion of Imperial View) sits on top of the mountain. Emperors would climb up to the pavilion on the Double Ninth Festival to enjoy the scenery with the royal family.

In the garden, visitors will find some footpaths paved with colorful pebbles, which form different patterns, usually symbolizing luck and fortune.

The north end of the garden is Shenwumen (the Gate of Devine Might) and the rear gate of the Forbidden City.