THE FORBIDDEN CITY, Buildings East Side I

On the opposite side from the palaces in the west wing, you’ll find the six Eastern Palaces where the princes and the emperor’s concubines lived. Built in 1420, they were restored in the 17th century, and for the most part are now exhibition rooms where you can admire the treasures of the imperial family.

The first one you’ll come to is the Palace of Purity, where the crown prince lived during the Ming dynasty, while during the Qing dynasty it was home to the empress.

Today the palace houses a collection of ancient jade objects. Jade has a long history in China, stretching back more than 8000 years. It was always very popular with the emperors because it symbolizes prosperity and happiness.

Jade reached the peak of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, especially during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, and here you can admire sophisticated works found nowhere else in the world.

The Palace of Great Brilliance, just meters from the Palace of Purity, was the residence of the concubines during the Ming dynasty, but was turned into a library in 1686, during the reign of Emperor Qing Kangxi. Gold and silverware from the Qing dynasty are now displayed her....