BEIJING (TDI), December 23rd (www.thediplomaticinsight.com) – – The Qingcheng Palace complex, a royal sacrificial venue along the historic central axis of Beijing, opened to the public after restoration work on Saturday.
Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the palace is located inside the Altar of the God of Agriculture, also referred to as the Xiannongtan Temple.
The palace was formerly known as Zhaigong, which means a fasting palace. It was a place where the ancient emperors abstained from heavy meals and meditated before worship.
It was renamed as Qingcheng Palace in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), becoming a palace where the emperors held celebratory rituals after cultivation ceremonies while praying for a good harvest.
Restoration work of the ancient buildings launched in June last year, following the principle of “minimal intervention.”
amsp/cgtn-abp
CGTN