Manchuko (Puyi) Palace, Changchun, Jilin Province, PRC

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Photo ofManchuko (Puyi) Palace, Changchun, Jilin Province, PRC

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mclivancouver

with 1 trail buddy

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Trail stats

Distance: 3.41 mi
Elevation gain: 23 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 23 ft
Max elevation: 1,021 ft
TrailRank: 59
Min elevation: 833 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: one hour 8 minutes
Time: one hour 46 minutes
Coordinates: 676
Uploaded: December 25, 2018
Recorded: December 2018

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near Changchun, Jilin (China)

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Itinerary description

Chinese Name: "WeiHuangGong" ("Fake Yellow Palace" - where yellow represents the Emperor).

Recorded during the afternoon of December 25, 2018, with temperatures in the minus 26 deg Celsius range, and a strong northwest wind came up before dusk.

Those interested in History will probably find this location fascinating. It is not at all what I expected after seeing the movie "The Last Emperor". A few of the many captions from the Chinese-Japanese-English description plates are summarized in the various waypoint and photo comments.

There is also a museum of the Japanese occupation of NE China on the East side of the palace, which was not viewed on the day and is not part of this track.

Admission is free to international visitors over 65 years (bring passport).

It's easiest to view the route using the "Open Street" or "Open Cycle" Maps available in Wikiloc. The default Google Map doesn't work in China or is not properly geo-referenced (apparently an unresolved issue between Google and China). There is also a Jilin Province free Wikiloc map download, which facilitates navigation and the recording of new Wikilocs in the Province.

Waypoints

Weihuanggong Light Rail Station

Exit Light Rail, on Northern Line, several stations from its Northernmost terminus. The Light Rail is a different system than the Changchun Subway Network. The most direct route to the Palace is from the upper exit on the west side of the station.

footpath

Walking route from the main road to the ticket booths, shops, and entrance gates. Foreigners need Passport at ticket purchase and possibly again at the entrance turn-styles. Over 65 year olds are free, including for international guests.

past ticket office

Many guided local tourist groups (Mandarin only?). We found that entering as party of two offered advantages, especially when accessing doorways along the interior halls of the buildings, and taking photos.

Photo ofTicket check and entrance turn-styles

Ticket check and entrance turn-styles

After entry, pass the "Royal East Garden" , built in 1938. It was built by Japanese gardener Mr. Sato to combine the style of north China with Japanese garden style. One concept is "movement accompanies tranquility", where every change in position brings a different scenic spot. "Fu Gui Ren" Li Yuqin often played here. The "Japan Room", at the East end of the Qinmin building, was designed to show that "Puyi's country and Japan could not be seperated and shared "one heart, one mind". It is in traditional Japanese style. Puyi once shared a traditional Japanese dinner with Yoshiokayasunao in this room".

Photo ofSwimming Pool and Air Raid Shelter

Swimming Pool and Air Raid Shelter

Influenced by western culture, Puyi built a swimming pool, a challenge to a Qing Dynasty Rule that "emperors naked bodies" could not be exposed to others. Puyi never went swimming in it, but enjoyed sunbathing and watching other people play in it. The Royal Air Raid Shelter was constructed for Puyi and his family in 1939, using Japan's latest blast-proof technologies. Over the Manchu period Puyi and family took shelter there many times.

Qinmin Building

The Main Place Building. "Qinmin Building was built in the early days of the 1900's, formerly the office of the Jilin-Heilongjiang Exclusive Transportation Bureau of the Republic of China. When Puyi became leader of the Manchurian State it was renamed the Qinmin Building to show a wish of resuming the Qing Dynasty according to his ancestors standards. Puyi took it as the palace where he handled political affairs, held ceremonies, and met visitors." Movie Hall: "This was originally designed as a banquet room, and was changed into a movie room later. Together with his family, Puyi often saw news documentary movies and feature movies, which embellished the Japanese war of aggression. He also played badminton here in his leisure time." Routine Meeting Room: "This was an informal meeting place. After presenting themselves before Puyi in the kowtow room, Japanese and high ranking puppet officials and qualified persons might enter the routine meeting room and sit down with him to talk. Puyi met with the Commander in Chief of the Japanese Northeast Troop regularly here and listened to his Prime Minister Zhang Jinghui and other minister's reports on political and state affairs."

'Inner Palace Department'

"Siheyuan of the Inner Palace Department was built in the early days of the 1900's and was originally the mansion of Wei Zonglian, the head of the Jilin-Heliongjiang Exclusive Transportation Bureau in the Republic of China. After he became the "Leader" of the puppet Manchurian State Puyi changed the name to the Office Department of the Administration. Upon becoming "Emperor", Puyi changed the name again to the "Inner Palace Department". The Japanese military authority worked here throughout the period" "Japanese military men held all the key positions with real power, putting all the political activities and personal life of Puyi under Japanese control. There were more than 1,000 such officials working in the Palace complex. Their duties were to be in charge of the Imperial seals, report military affairs to, and arrange meetings with the Emperor, to guard the safety and security of Puyi, and to serve Puyi, his Empress, and his concubines." "The Second Waiting Room was the Guard Section of the Puppet Government in the early days of the Manchurian period, and it was changed to the Second Waiting Room in 1935. All third class officials, fourth class officials, and low rank officials must wait here before being called in by Puyi. and then the official in charge of etiquette would led them into the Qinmin Building, salute Puyi, and then they had all kinds of activities."

Zhixiu House

"Zhixiu House was built in the early days of the puppet Manchurian Period and Puyi often dined and rested here. After Puyi's second younger sister married with Zheng Guangyuan they once lived here. Puyi's cash and jewels were kept in the two insurance cabinets of the back apartment. It became the place where the students of the Palace studied."

Changchun House

"Changchun House as built in the early days of the Puppet Manchurian Period. The Forth and fifth younger sisters of Puyi lived here. In July of 1937, Puyi's father Zaifeng lived here when he came to Changchun to congratulate Puyi on becoming "the Emperor". After Tan Yuling entered the palace and was conferred "Xian Gui Ren" she occupied the place, and after she died, her hearse stayed here." The bedroom of Prince Zaifeng is on display here. "On July 28, 1934, Zaifeng, Puyi's father, the former prince of the Qing Dynasty, lived here when he and Puyi's brothers and sisters visited Changchun to congratulate Puyi's ascending the throne."

Racetrack and Exit

The western outer walls and defensive positions of the palace are prominent here. The garages and horse racetrack are to the NW and West. These areas are accessible to visitors but the track was cut short on the day due to the outside arctic cold and wind conditions.

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