The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold a roving exhibition entitled "An Imperial Life Inside Out" from tomorrow (June 2) at Windsor House. Focusing on the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Forbidden City, the exhibition gives visitors a closer look at the history of the Qing dynasty.
                
     Located beside the Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was the imperial residence of eight Qing dynasty emperors, from Emperor Yongzheng to Emperor Xuantong. In addition to containing living quarters, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was also the administrative hub of the Qing dynasty, where the emperors held audiences with mandarins, handled state affairs and studied.
                
     The exhibition displays the detailed structure and function of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, including the Chamber of Accompanying Peace on the east side to the Studio of Tirelessness on the west. The Hall of Justness and Benevolence, located in the centre of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, was a place where the emperor summoned his mandarins and held regular meetings. The Hall of Diligent Government in the West Warmth Chamber was an office where emperors handled routine affairs. Situated on the west side of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Room of Three Rarities served as a private office-cum-study room for Emperor Qianlong.
                
     The stories of the eight emperors, namely Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu and Xuantong, are highlighted in the exhibition. Emperor Yongzheng was the first emperor to move his residence to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and he worked relentlessly there; Emperor Jiaqing used to offer his mandarins calligraphy with auspicious messages on New Year's Day; and Empress Dowager Cixi ruled from behind the curtain in the East Warmth Chamber during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi.

     Most people do not know that the Hall of Mental Cultivation has a close connection with Hong Kong. In 1839, Emperor Daoguang summoned Lin Zexu to the hall and appointed him as Imperial Commissioner to enforce laws instigating a country-wide opium ban. This move led to the outbreak of the Opium War, which eventually changed the destiny of Hong Kong. The exhibition addresses this part of Hong Kong's history by showing old photos of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, illustrating the early development of the city.

     Running until June 15, the exhibition will be held at the G/F Atrium, Windsor House, Causeway Bay, with opening hours from 11am to 10pm. Members of the public are welcome and entry is free.
                
     The roving exhibition is part of the "In Touch with Palace Museum" campaign being held by the LCSD from the end of 2016 to July 2017. Through a series of exhibitions, programmes and educational activities related to the arts and culture of the Palace Museum, the campaign highlights the essence of traditional Chinese culture and its modern connotations. The activities will be held in various districts, allowing members of the public to discover that far from being anachronistic or outmoded, traditional culture still holds a wealth of wisdom for their daily lives.

Ends/Thursday, June 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:00

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