Palace of Parting Clouds, located on Longevity Hill, the Summer Palace, was the place where Empress Dowager Cixi celebrated her birthdays. Every October 10 on the Chinese lunar calendar, a grand ceremony was due here in the palace to mark the dowager's birthday. Sitting atop a treasure a treasure chair with nine-dragon motif (normally only used by emperor), Cixi received kowtows of Emperor Guangxu and the retinues. Ministers and aristoctrats knelt down inside the Gates of Parting Clouds on the southern and northern sides of Bridge of gold Bridge according to age and rank. Trivial officials could only pay their full rituals out of the Gates of Parting Clouds.
The inside setting of the Palace of Parting Clouds remains unchanged as in Cixi's time. Many treasures displayed in the palace are gifts for her 60th birthday in 1894.
Palace of Parting Clouds appears on the following banknote(s):
| |