Picture this A majestic yellow-roofed Hall of Dispelling Clouds stands before you. Its vibrant golden tiles gleam under the sun. This is not just any building. This magnificent structure was originally part of the Da Baoen Yanshou Temple. Emperor Qianlong built the temple as a gift for his mother’s 60th birthday. Sadly a fire in 1860 destroyed it. It was later rebuilt during Emperor Guangxu’s reign. The front section was renamed the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. The name comes from a poem by Guo Pu. It suggests those within are blessed with long life.
Empress Dowager Cixi intended this to be her bedchamber. She moved in but fell ill. She blamed the proximity to the Tower of Buddhist Incense. This Buddhist area was considered inauspicious. Therefore she chose the Hall of Joyful Longevity as her residence. She only used the Hall of Dispelling Clouds for birthday celebrations.
The Hall of Dispelling Clouds sits on a raised terrace. White marble balusters surround it. Bronze dragons phoenixes and vessels adorn the platform. Three directions offer broad steps leading up to the hall. Underneath the terrace are four bronze vats. Another pair of bronze dragons and phoenixes are situated symmetrically. Interestingly Emperor Qianlong decreed that no imperial buildings could have yellow glazed tiles except temples. The Hall of Dispelling Clouds is a rare exception. Its main hall and side halls boast these exceptional yellow tiles.
Imagine the scene on Empress Dowager Cixi’s birthday. Emperor Guangxu led princes and officials. They kowtowed to her as she sat on the Nine-Dragon Throne. The emperor kowtowed facing the hall. Senior officials knelt inside. Other officials stood outside the Gate of Dispelling Clouds. The hall’s furnishings remain festive. They reflect the original birthday celebrations. While fewer treasures are displayed than in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity some are more valuable.
Behind the Hall of Dispelling Clouds lies the Hall of Moral Glory. This was once the Hall of Tahoden. It served as a changing room and rest area for the emperor and empress during Buddhist prayers.
The Hall of Dispelling Clouds is more than just a building. It’s a testament to imperial power a symbol of longevity and a glimpse into the opulent life of the Empress Dowager Cixi. It’s a story etched in stone bronze and the golden glow of its remarkable roof.