Gunwufu or Prince Goon Palace - a palace and park ensemble in Beijing's Xicheng District, included in the Register of the State Cultural Heritage of China. Today the theater and the museum of princely palaces are located here, and the Gunwanfu Park is always open for visits.

The Gongwangfu Palace was built in 1776 by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty for his favorite - the all-powerful Hashan .After the death of the patron, Emperor Qianlong, Prince Heshan was accused of corruption and embezzlement .His palace was confiscated and went to Aixingoro Yonglin, who was called the "prince Qing" .And when his grandson, Aixingoro Iquan, was lowered in the title to the "baile", the palace was confiscated by the Internal Secretariat and transferred to Aixingoro Ishin, who bore the title "Grand Duke Gong .Then the residence got its modern name .

This prince's palace is much larger in size than other buildings of its time, in scale, second only to the Imperial Palace of the Gugun. Its total area is 60 thousand square meters. The territory of the Gongwangfu Palace accommodates more than three dozen buildings in various styles.

Museum of princely palaces in Gunwanfu

It is known that for the opening of the Museum of princely palaces in Gunwanf had to buy antiques. Unfortunately, since the time of the prince's residence, paintings, calligraphic works and other interior items have practically not been preserved. And most of the treasures were sold abroad. Some of the exhibits of the museum were still donated.

To recreate the original appearance of the palace, the materials stored in the library of the Tsinghua Polytechnic University were used. Plans and paintings, once compiled by the famous architect Liang Sichin and his colleagues, talked a lot about the planning of the Gunwanfu residence. The official opening of the museum took place on August 24, 2008.

The museum is open daily from 7.30 to 16.30. The entrance ticket costs 40 yuan, with an excursion of 70 yuan. Phone: +86 (10) 83288149. E-mail: gwf@pgm.org.cn.

Theater in Gunwanfu

The building of the theater is located on the eastern axis of the planning of the palace complex. Its area is 685 square meters. The total capacity is 200 people. There are performances of the Beijing Opera and performances by artists of the Chinese circus, and other events. During the performance, the girls in costumes stylized during the times of the Qing dynasty, bring tea, desserts and snacks to the guests.

In the southern part of the wooden building there is a platform, a screen from a boxwood serves as a decoration. Its walls and ceiling are covered with paintings with a wisteria ornament. The screen is decorated with engraving, and the floor is covered with square tiles.

Phone: +86 (10) 66168149. Address: 100009, Beijing, Xicheng District, Haysy, 17. By buses of routes 13, 103, 107, 111 to the stop "Dianmen".