Treasures travel south

[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Yongzheng favored a simple life and considered himself a public servant," Tang says.

Yongzheng moved from the bigger Palace of Heavenly Purity to this hall, and he was said to handled more than 192,000 documents during his time in the West Warmth Chamber.

"The hall was the centerstage of politics during the Ming and Qing dynasties," says Tang.

Meanwhile, multimedia has also been used to re-create the past, says Tang, pointing out that the different rulers' personalities are reflected through the exhibits.

For instance, Emperor Qianlong, who ruled from 1736 to 1796, was known for collecting exquisite artworks, and the vases and enamel articles on display reveal his preference for flamboyance.

Qianlong was keen on Tibetan Buddhism, which is portrayed through the statues of the Buddha from his prayer room.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation also had a private study called the Room of Three Rarities, which is described by Tang as Qianlong's own little corner to appreciate paintings and calligraphy.

The emperor had three rare pieces of calligraphy in this room. A replica of this room is also at the exhibition, and features 13 vases.

Tang says that the Hong Kong Museum of Art also contributed some of its treasures, like a scroll, attributed to the Song Dynasty (960-1127).