Shenyang Imperial Palace

Background

The Shenyang Imperial Palace, also known as the Mukden Palace, stands at 171 Shenyang Road in Shenhe District. Construction began in 1625, when Nurhaci moved his capital to Shenyang, and it was expanded in stages under Nurhaci, Hong Taiji and the Qianlong Emperor. Here in 1636 Hong Taiji renamed his state Qing, and in 1644 the Shunzhi Emperor was enthroned in Shenyang before the Qing moved south of the Great Wall; the palace then became the secondary capital's palace, where Qing emperors stayed on their tours to the northeast. The complex is laid out along eastern, central and western axes: the eastern axis, with the Dazheng Hall and the Ten Kings' Pavilions, reflects the council of the Eight Banners and early Manchu palace design; the central axis runs from the Daqing Gate past the Chongzheng Hall and the Phoenix Tower to the Qingning Palace, and was used for daily government and living quarters; the western axis is represented by Qianlong-era additions such as the Wensu Pavilion. The architecture blends Han, Manchu, Mongolian and other styles, the forms on the eastern axis relate to the tradition of nomadic tent palaces, and the palace also keeps Manchu cultural features such as the sacred Solon pole. Today it is the Shenyang Palace Museum, displaying Qing court relics and works of art, and covers about 60,000 square metres.

Local customs

• Visit the eastern, central and western axes in turn, seeing the Dazheng Hall, Ten Kings' Pavilions, Chongzheng Hall, Phoenix Tower, Qingning Palace, Wensu Pavilion and more, and look out for the displays on the Eight Banners, Manchu life and court ritual
• if you want a guide, choose the museum's official guiding or audio-tour services.

Travel tips

• The visit moves between indoors and outdoors, so allow about half a day and wear comfortable shoes. Several sources mention closure on Mondays
• for opening and booking rules, refer to the Shenyang Palace Museum's official announcements for the day, and visit off-peak if you can. Take the metro or a bus to a stop around Zhongjie or Huaiyuanmen and walk
• parking near the palace is limited, so public transport is better. For tickets, refer to official announcements.
• Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a visit
• guard against the heat in summer
• winter is cold, and although the snow scenes are special, paths get slippery after snowfall, so dress warmly and watch your footing.