The Garden of Perfect Brightness (Yuanmingyuan) at the height of its splendour: Translated from Wang Wei (2002)) [The Yuanmingyuan Ruins

Abstract

Entering the Garden of Perfect Brightness (figure 1) from the Grand Palace Gate, which faces south, the first scene you came across was the Golden Water Bridge. All together there were three Golden Water bridges over the crescentshaped river. Through the Second Palace Gate was the Hall of Uprightness and Brightness, which was the hall where the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty [1644–1911]1 held court meetings and handled state affairs. Along the east and west side of the hall were the court waiting apartments [places for the officials to take rest before or after court meetings] of the civil and military officials. The architectural style of these buildings was quite similar to those in the Forbidden City.