Beijing, December 26 (Youth.cn) - On December 24, the Palace of Celebration for Success (Qingcheng Palace), with a history of over 560 years, stands within the complex of the Altar of Xiannong in Beijing. 

The palace was open to the public for the first time ever last week. Another ancient building complex of the Altar of Xiannong granting public access after the Barn of Divinity, as a result of Beijing Central Axis inscribed in the World Heritage List, the palace is an important component of the Altar of Xiannong, one of the 15 heritage sites of the Beijing Central Axis. 

Originally named the Hall of Abstinence, the Palace of Celebration for Success is built in 1458, the second year of Tianshun during the reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, acting as the palace where the emperors diet, bath, and meditate before the ritual for Xiannong. In 1755, the 20th year of Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty, the corridors and walls of the palace were modified into current structure pattern, and the palace was renamed “Qingcheng,” the Palace of Celebration for Success, as it served as the palace where emperors celebrate the success of the ceremony for Xiannong. 

The complex of the palace, facing south, sits along the Beijing Central Axis: From the south to the north sit the Outer Gate, the Inner Gate, the Main Hall, and the Rear Hall of the palace. Side Halls sit in the west and east of the yard between the Main and Rear Halls. The complex of the palace is grand and delicate, in typical royal architecture of the Ming Dynasty, as the highest rank royal  structure of the Altar of Xiannong. Photo/VCG