紫竹院行宫

Amidst the serene beauty of Zi Zhu Yuan Park sits the Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong. This former imperial palace whispers tales of emperors, empresses, and the grand spectacle of waterway processions. The Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong wasn’t always a palace. It began as a modest temple in 1577, during the Ming Dynasty. It served as a lower temple for the grand Wanshou Temple. Later, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, it was transformed. The area around the temple saw the construction of a structure mimicking the “Lotus Crossing” of Suzhou. The temple itself was renovated and renamed “Zi Zhu Yuan Temple”. By 1751, the Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong palace, as we know it, was erected. This served as a place for emperors and empresses to change boats during their water excursions. The Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong complex holds centuries of history. Imagine Empress Dowager Cixi preparing for her visits to Wanshou Temple in the Bao’en Hall, adorned with its “Golden Dragon and Green Heart” style Suzhou paintings. This hall, the tallest structure in the Xing Gong, was where officials handled matters of the port and boat transfers. Two ancient gingko trees, planted during the Ming Dynasty, stand as silent witnesses to the palace’s long history. These trees, over 450 years old, have weathered storms and seen the Xing Gong’s fortunes rise and fall. One, struck by lightning, still thrives with new growth emerging from its scarred trunk. In 2001, the Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong was officially recognized as a protected cultural relic. Between 2010 and 2012, it underwent extensive renovations. Today, visitors can explore its restored halls, including the main palace courtyard, the West Palace, and the Zi Zhu Yuan Temple. Though some of the original structures were lost to time and alterations, the Zi Zhu Yuan Xing Gong lives on. It stands as a testament to imperial grandeur and a quiet sanctuary within bustling Beijing.