F o r e w o r d
The Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong), located in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, is one of the Western Residences of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the five residences to the north of the Six Palaces in the Inner Court, established in the early Ming dynasty. From east to west, they are known as the First Residence, Second Residence, Third Residence, Fourth Residence, and Fifth Residence, each comprising three main halls arranged in a north-south layout. During the Yongzheng period of the Qing dynasty, this area was home to princes and grandsons of the emperor.
In the fifth year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign (1727), the 17-year-old prince Hongli, the emperor’s fourth son, got married and moved to the Second Western Residence. In the 11th year of Yongzheng’s reign (1733), Hongli was granted the title of ‘Prince Bao of the First Rank’ and his residence was named ‘Hall of Pleasure and Good Will’ (Leshan Tang). Later, on the 23rd of the eighth month of the 13th year of his reign (1735), Emperor Yongzheng passed away, and Hongli ascended to the throne as the new emperor, adopting the reign title Qianlong the following year.
During the Qing dynasty, starting with Emperor Yongzheng, the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian) served as emperors’ bedchamber. After ascending the throne, Emperor Qianlong moved into the hall. The Second Western Residence, generally known as the ‘Dwelling of the Hidden Dragon’, was soon renamed as the Palace of Double Brilliance. Distinct from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it functioned as an additional centre of activity for the emperor. Emperor Qianlong put considerable effort into renovating the Palace of Double Brilliance: the First Residence was transformed into the Studio of Cleansing Fragrance (Shufang Zhai), complete with a theatre; the Third Residence became the Palace of Double Brilliance’s kitchen; and the Fourth and Fifth Residences were dismantled to make way for the Palace of Establishing Happiness (Jianfu Gong) and a garden. These changes completely altered the original layout of the five residences.
The name of the Palace of Double Brilliance is derived from the ‘Canon of Shun’ in the ‘Yu Shu’ chapter of the Book of Documents. The canon states, ‘Emperor Shun’s name was Chonghua. He was a man of virtue like Emperor Yao. He was wise, gentle, and humble. His virtue was renowned throughout the world. He diligently cultivated his moral character, and his reputation spread far and wide within the court and among the people. As a result, he was appointed to his position.’ Emperor Shun was thus ‘able to succeed Emperor Yao, enhancing the brilliance of his moral virtue, and aligning this virtue with Emperor Yao, being equally wise and enlightened.’ Therefore, Chonghua symbolises the succession of wise emperors across generations, akin to the legendary Emperors Yao and Shun.
Throughout Emperor Qianlong’s life, from his marriage and subsequent move to the Second Western Residence until his passing, the Palace of Double Brilliance held a profoundly important place in his heart for 72 years. The palace served as the emperor’s study and treasure trove, and also a venue for building bonds. He hosted lively family banquets, tea gatherings, and court banquets there during festive celebrations.
As the palace was elevated from the ‘Dwelling of the Hidden Dragon’ to the status of a royal palace, it consistently reflected the emperor’s sentiments. At 73, the emperor wrote in his Imperial Record of the Palace of Double Brilliance (Chonghua Gong Ji): ‘I lived here in my youth, and I studied and grew here. The governance of over 40 years all came from this place.’ He also expressed a deep attachment to this space, noting that for the past 48 years, he had never missed spending time there on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
The palace speaks of a diligent and studious youth, a devoted son, an affectionate husband, an emperor who inherited his grandfather’s and father’s aspirations, and a ruler committed to governance.