Palace of Gathered Elegance(Chuxiugong)Ⅰ

Palace of Gathered Elegance(Chuxiugong)is one of Six Western Palaces in inner zone of Forbidden city, lies at the east side of Xianfugong (Palace of Universal Happiness) and north of Yikungong(Palace of Earthly Honor). It was established in 1420 and originally named Shouchanggong(Palace of Longevity and Prosperity) and in 1535 it was renamed Chuxiugong(Palace of Gathered Elegance). In 1655 it was restored. Chuxiugong(Palace of Gathered Elegance) used to be the living residence of concubines in Ming and Qing Dynasties. In 1852, Empress Dowager Cixi lived here when she was laurelled as Languiren(兰贵人)，and here she gave birth to Emperor Tongzhi. In 1884, Empress Dowager Cixi lived in Changchungong(Palace of Eternal Spring) and moved to Chuxiugong(Palace of Gathered Elegance)(Palace of Gathered Elegance) for celebrating her fiftieth birthday. And then Chuxiugong(Palace of Gathered Elegance)(Palace of Gathered Elegance) was elaborately restored at the expense of 630,000 liang silvers. In the garden, on the wall of the visiting corridors, there are many inscriptions created by officials at the time for celebrating Empress Dowager Cixi’s birthday. So seen at present, Chuxiugong(Palace of Gathered Elegance) is the most delicate palace among west six palaces.