China: Shenyang – Mukden Imperial Palace

Alongside the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Mukden Palace in Shenyang is one of only two remaining imperial palace complexes in the country. Built in 1625, the palace served as the official royal residence for the early emperors of the Qing Dynasty, before they captured Beijing in 1644 and moved the capital. Unlike the Forbidden City (which is much much larger and is purely Han in style and architecture), the Mulden Palace blends Manchu, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Han styles. Many features reflect the nomadic traditions of the Manchu people, with buildings resembling the structure of traditional yurts. The palace has thee section – the governmental Eastern Section with the famous Dazheng Hall, the Middle Section with core imperial throne rooms, and the Western Section with the cultural stuff and the imperial library. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.