Hall of Happiness and Longevity
China
Move on to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity, which was the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi during her stays at the Summer Palace. The hall is elegantly designed and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Cixi spent a great deal of time here, surrounded by luxury and opulence. The guide will share stories about Cixi's daily life in Le Shou Tang, her indulgences, and how she used this place to exert her power and influence. You can admire the exquisite furniture, the elaborate carvings, and the well - preserved architecture, all of which offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of the powerful empress dowager.
Contents
7 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Hall of Happiness and Longevity1:52
Welcome to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity, or Le Shou Tang, arguably the most significant residential building in the Summer Palace. This was the private sanctuary of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the formidable 'Dragon Lady'…
Listen in the app2The Family Bankruptcy Stone — A Monument to Obsession1:41
Perhaps the most famous feature of this courtyard is the massive, jagged limestone rock standing right in the center. Its official name is 'Qing Zhi Xiu,' or 'The Elegant Ling-Zhi Fungus Rock,' but it is better known by its…
Listen in the app3Imperial Luxury — The 128-Course Meal1:38
Stepping closer to the hall, you can see the dining area where Cixi would take her meals. The extravagance of her lifestyle was legendary. …
Listen in the app4The Courtyard Flora — Magnolias and Ancient Trees1:36
The garden surrounding the hall was carefully curated to provide beauty in every season. Cixi was particularly fond of the white and purple magnolias planted here. …
Listen in the app5Symbolic Guardians — Deer, Crane, and Vase1:33
In front of the Hall of Happiness and Longevity stand three bronze figures that are essential to understanding the court's worldview: a bronze deer, a bronze crane, and a bronze vase. These are not random choices. …
Listen in the app6The Lakeside Pier — The Emperor's Arrival1:41
If you look toward the lake, you will see a small pier area with two tall, flag-pole-like structures. These were used to signal the arrival and departure of the Empress Dowager. …
Listen in the app7Final Reflections1:37
Our visit to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity brings us face-to-face with the contradictions of the late Qing Dynasty. Here was a place of extreme beauty and technological innovation—the first electric lights, the finest…
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What is Hall of Happiness and Longevity?
Hall of Happiness and Longevity is a place in China with 7 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 7 |
| Total length | 11 min 38 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 40.0023, 116.2741 |
| Last updated |
