What are the characteristics and uses of Gan Qing Palace?

As one of the last three palaces in the Forbidden City, what was the use of Gan Qing Palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties?

Sangong refers to Gan Qing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kunning Palace in the middle road. Also known as "the last three palaces".

According to its layout and function, the architecture of the Forbidden City is divided into two parts: the outer court and the inner court. The dividing line between "outer court" and "inner court" is Gan Qing Gate, with the outer court in the south and the inner court in the north.

The outer court, centered on the three halls of Taihe, Zhonghe and Baohe, is the place where the emperor held the court meeting, also known as the "former court". The Forbidden City is centered on Gan Qing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kunning Palace, where emperors, queens and concubines live.

The "three palaces and six courtyards" are all in the palace of the Forbidden City. The "Three Palaces", also known as the "Last Three Palaces", refer to the Gan Qing Palace where the emperor lived, the Kunning Palace where the queen lived, and the Jiaotai Hall between Gan Qing Palace and Kunning Palace.

The "Sixth Hospital" is actually the Twelfth Hospital. There are six palaces in the east and west of the "Three Palaces", and the "Six Palaces in the East Road" are Zhaigong Palace, Ren Jing Palace, Chenggan Palace, Zhongcui Palace, Jingyang Palace and Yonghe Palace. The "Six Palaces on West Road" are Palace of Gathered Elegance, Yikun Palace, Yongshou Palace, Changchun Palace, Xianfu Palace and Zhonghua Palace. Because all palaces are quadrangular buildings, they are called "East Sixth Courtyard" and "West Sixth Courtyard".

Extended data

Gan Qing Palace was built in the 18th year of Yongle in Ming Dynasty (1420), and the existing buildings were built in the 3rd year of Jiaqing in Qing Dynasty (1798). It was the place where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties lived and handled government affairs. After Yongzheng moved to hall of mental cultivation in Qing Dynasty, it was changed to a place to meet foreign envoys.

Jiaotai Hall was built in Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in Shunzhi, Kangxi and Jiaqing years. It was originally a place to celebrate the Millennium Festival of the Queen, and it was used to store the imperial seal of the "Twenty-five Treasures of Qing Dynasty" in the Qing Dynasty.

Kunning Palace was built in the 18th year of Yongle in Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1420). In the Ming dynasty, it belonged to the queen's bedroom. In the 12th year of Qing Shunzhi (A.D. 1655), the Qingning Palace in Shengjing was rebuilt. At the western end, four rooms became places where Shamanism worshiped God. At the eastern end, two rooms were the emperor's wedding rooms. Young emperors Kangxi, Tongzhi and Guangxu all got married here.