Shenyang - Imperial Palace

(Local Name: Gugong) The magnificent and imposing 60,000sq.m/71,760sq.yd Imperial Palace dating from the early Qing era, is situated in the east of Shenyang. It is, after the Imperial Palace in Beijing, the second largest completely preserved palace complex in China. The building work took over ten years to complete (1625-36). The complex served as an imperial palace to both of the first Qing emperors, Nurhachi (1559-1626) and Huang Taiji (1592-1643). The palace complex includes several courtyards, around which are grouped numerous buildings, and is separated into eastern, central, and western sections.