The two-year repair and reconstruction of the Wuying (brave warrior) Palace, a pilot project of the Palace Museum's one-century repair, was recently completed and the palace will soon open to the public. In order to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Palace Museum, the palace will open to visitors as an exhibition hall for books and paintings for the first time in its history.

The Wuying Palace buildings are located outside the Xihemen Gate, in front of the Forbidden City, a beautiful counterpoint to the Wenhua Palace (Prominent Scholars Palace). Built in 1420, the 18th year of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under emperor Yongle, the palace buildings cover an area of 12,000 square meters. In 1644, Li Zicheng led his peasant army and seized Beijing and held his coronation ceremony in the palace. Duoergun, a prince regent of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911), conducted government affairs here, and later, Emperor Kang Xi had set up a book publication office in the palace. Books printed in the palace were known as Hall Editions, and were famed for their excellent quality.

In a cooperative effort between the 80th anniversary celebration ceremony and the 11th International Seminar on Qing History, the halls of the palace will open to the public for the Cultural Classics Exhibition of the Qing Dynasty. A host of classical and Buddhist literature, scripture and books will be exhibited. In addition, Yude Palace, where the Fragrant Princess was said to have showered, will also open to the public.

(Chinanews.com February 21, 2005)