The main building of Mukden Palace in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province, which used to be a royal residence during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo/Xinhua]

As Mukden Palace in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province celebrates its 90th anniversary as a museum on Nov 16, people born the same day can enjoy a free visit to this well-preserved building and see the precious cultural relics it contains.

Shenyang Imperial Palace, also called Mukden Palace, was built in 1625 as the residence of Nurhaci and his son Hong Taiji, founders of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Shenyang was later used as an accompanying capital after the dynasty moved its capital to Beijing in 1644. Currently, it is one of the most well-preserved palaces in China.

Covering an area of over 60,000 square meters, Mukden Palace has a total of 114 ancient buildings and more than 500 rooms, along with collections of valuable porcelain, lacquers, jewelry, clothing from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), writings and paintings.

Mukden Palace in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province, which used to be a royal residence during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo/Xinhua]

Mukden Palace was first approved for being turned into a museum in 1926 and opened to the public in 1929.

In 1961, Mukden Palace was approved as the first group of national-level major historical and cultural sites.

In July 2004, the World Heritage Committee added Mukden Palace to the representative list of World Cultural Heritage sites.

During the past 90 years, Mukden Palace has received some 72.74 million tourists. Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, paid a special visit to the palace during her trip to Shenyang this June, which gave a publicity boost to the palace as a tourist attraction.

At present, Mukden Palace serves as a museum and research institute for the history and cultural relics of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mukden Palace as a museum, the operator of the tourist attraction initiated a list of activities in April, including 18 exhibitions on different themes, three academic conferences and five displays of academic achievements.

Clothing from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) on display in Mukden Palace. [Photo/Xinhua]

A bowl from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) on display in Mukden Palace. [Photo/Xinhua]