Shenyang Imperial Palace

The Shenyang Imperial Palace also known as Mukden Palace is the only existing royal palace in China outside the Forbidden City in Beijing Built between 1625 and 1636 by Nurhaci the founder of the Qing Dynasty and his son Hong Taiji this magnificent complex served as the imperial residence and administrative center for the early Qing rulers before they conquered the rest of China and moved the capital to Beijing The palace represents a unique fusion of Manchu Tibetan and Han Chinese architectural styles reflecting the multicultural nature of the Qing Empire Covering an area of 60000 square meters with over 300 rooms the complex is divided into three main sections the eastern section with its distinctive octagonal Dazheng Hall where important ceremonies were held the central section with the emperors living quarters and administrative buildings and the western section added later by Emperor Qianlong The palace houses an extensive collection of Qing Dynasty artifacts including imperial robes weapons musical instruments and precious artworks In 2004 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties