Hall of Spiritual Cultivation (Yangxing dian)

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The Hall of Spiritual Cultivation (Yangxing dian) is laid just north of the Hall of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshou gong). Now it has been converted into a gallery of the Treasure Hall, exhibiting ritual objects of the Qing dynasty. Imitating the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin dian) in the western part of the imperial palace, it was constructed in 1776 during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) to be his living quarters after his retirement. However, he never moved here. Instead, he often threw banquets in this hall to entertain imperial kinsmen and high-ranking officials. In the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the Empress Dowager Cixi lived here with the east chamber as the dinning room.