Shenyang Imperial Palace

Mukden Palace is the second largest imperial palace after the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Imperial Palace in Shenyang is the palace of the first emperors of the Manchurian dynasty of China. In 1644, the emperor moved to the Forbidden City, but he and his heirs continued to visit Sheenyang annually. The palace is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Forbidden City and Mukden Palace complex.

Construction of the palace began the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (Manchu dynasty) Nurhaci in 1625. In 1631, his son Hong Taiji completed the construction. In 1780, the territory of Mukden was expanded by Emperor Qianlong. Although the Shenyang Palace is smaller than the Forbidden City in Beijing, it has unique features and is of great artistic and scientific value.

Mukden Palace is located in the old part of Shenyang and now it is a functioning museum. Among the exhibits of the museum are many different items of art and weapons, paintings of ancient dynasties. Inside a huge number of exhibits and items that are actually used by the emperors. Among the exhibits you can see religious items, samples of calligraphy, vintage clothing, decorated with embroidery, ceramics, numerous stelae.

The history of the imperial dynasties of China covers a huge period of time from 221 BC until 1911 A.D. During the reign of eight strongest dynasties: Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing, China has become one of the strongest countries in the world, becoming a leader on the Asian continent. The emergence of China as a single holistic country begins with the reign of Emperor Qin Shihuang-di (221 BC), which united seven Chinese kingdoms and conquered many neighboring territories. However, Emperor Qin Shihuang-di is famous not only for his political merits to China, but also for the famous terracotta army, which has been guarding the entrance to his tomb for 2 thousand years. An indelible mark in the history of China was left by the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), whose rule is often called the "golden age" of China.

The architecture of the palace reflects local customs and a mixture of local ethnic groups during the period of its construction. From the palace, tourists can learn a lot about the Qing dynasty in the initial period. There is a small garden with a river, manuscripts of the emperor, ancient household items, decorations are exhibited. In almost every room you can see the description of this building in three languages: Chinese, Japanese and English.

In addition to the palace buildings on the territory of Mukden, there are several shops where you can buy various souvenirs depicting the palace complex, drinks and ice cream, as well as take photos in ancient costumes. The Shenyang Palace represents outstanding achievements in architecture, sculpture and painting, making it a famous cultural treasure trove.

The colorful painting, tile covering and artistic decoration of buildings faded over the years, but were successfully restored. Mukden Palace in Shenyang served as an additional residence, which today amazes tourists with its greatness with its invaluable library fund and a huge number of artifacts reminiscent of the times of the last ruling dynasty of China, before it consolidated its power in the nearby lands and made Beijing the capital.

The outstanding architecture of the palace testifies not only to the power of the Qing dynasty, but also exemplifies the cultural traditions of the Manchus and other peoples inhabiting the northern part of China. For a long time of existence of the Middle State (as the Chinese call their Motherland) numerous, unique objects of architectural art were created that are admirable to this day. These include such masterpieces as lush palaces and a variety of ordinary residential buildings, beautiful in their color, towers and poetry gazebos, skillful pagodas and stunning imaginations even of modern engineers bridges.

The history of Chinese traditional nutrition dates back to the distant past. The large Chinese territory, and different climatic zones, from subtropical to arctic, influenced a wide selection of products, dishes, and cooking methods. Chinese food therapy is based on the effects of a diet based on the rules of cooking and eating. Traditional Chinese medicine is aimed at affecting certain functions of the body: digestion, respiration, aging. And the harmonious effect of these elements with the outside world characterizes health. An imbalance with others leads to illness of the body.

The nutrition of the Chinese is based on the theory of 5 seasons: winter and spring, summer, autumn and off-season. Each season has its own products, which, according to Chinese cooks, prepare a person for a certain time. This type of nutrition coincides with the theory of the 5 elements - fire, earth, water, wood and metal. In each season, nutrition strengthens a certain part of the human body: the circulatory system, skin, bones, muscles and tendons. How to eat in Chinese? According to oriental nutritionists, modern food carries a minimal amount of energy. That is, it is empty and useless. As a result, the body is exhausted and aging earlier than necessary.

Home: Vacation-Travel.photos