This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Palace Museum. This September, the first two courtyards of the Ningshou Palace Garden — better known as Qianlong Garden — welcomed the public for the first time, offering a rare glimpse at intricately crafted imperial architecture.
Nestled in the northeast corner of the Forbidden City in the Chinese mainland's capital, Beijing, Qianlong Garden was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong as his dream retreat when he retired. Hidden for more than a century, its elegant pavilions, carved beams and tranquil courtyards now shine once again thanks to a joint, multiyear restoration by the World Monuments Fund and the Palace Museum.
Young travelers and digital nomads can roam the shaded corridors and lush gardens that blend nature with imperial aesthetics. Business and tech enthusiasts will appreciate the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with the latest conservation science, while thought leaders and cultural advocates can draw inspiration from the project's collaborative approach to sustainable heritage preservation.
The reopening also signals a boost for cultural tourism in Beijing, inviting visitors to rediscover the city beyond its skyscrapers and tech hubs. With more courtyards set to open in the coming years, Qianlong Garden is poised to become a must-visit landmark on the global heritage map.
As the Palace Museum celebrates its centennial, the unveiling of Qianlong Garden reminds us of the enduring power of architecture to connect past and present, inviting global citizens to explore history first-hand and shape its future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
