Inside the Forbidden City's lost two-acre imperial retreat
In short: Step into Juanqinzhai, a sumptuous private complex built in 1771. This virtual tour explores an elaborate retirement residence designed for the Qianlong Emperor, showcasing an era of unparalleled Qing dynasty wealth.
The video takes you through a loan exhibition by the Peabody Essex Museum, featuring approximately ninety works including paintings, religious pieces, and architectural elements. Created as a sanctuary for the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736–95), the retreat was constructed with the most expensive materials available, such as lacquer, porcelain, gilt bronze, and rare woods.
Although intended as a retirement residence, the Emperor never moved into the complex. As a result, the space serves as a virtual time capsule, remaining largely undisturbed since the height of the Qing dynasty's power.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Emperor's Private Paradise: Virtual tour of Juanqinzhai
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