HONG KONG — The Hong Kong Palace Museum will open Qing Court in Four Seasons: Life and Culture of the Imperial Household on Wednesday. The two-year exhibition will bring 187 Qing dynasty (1644-1911) court treasures to Gallery 2.

Jointly organized with the Palace Museum in Beijing, the exhibition runs through Nov 3, 2028, and traces how the Qing imperial court organized its year around the seasons, the calendar and the heavens.

According to ancient Chinese belief, an emperor’s right to rule was granted by Heaven. Rulers across dynasties therefore paid close attention to the accuracy of the calendar, which was based on observations of the skies. They also emphasized aligning their lifestyles and activities with the natural cycle of the year.

The exhibition opens with an introduction to the Qing court’s calendar, then follows the rulers through their yearly schedule. 

In spring, the court focused on agriculture and sericulture, holding ceremonies related to tilling and weaving. 

In summer, it moved to the cooler Chengde Mountain Resort to escape the heat, where the emperor met with leaders of various tribes—a testament to the multicultural nature of the Qing court.

In autumn, the court relocated to the Mulan Hunting Grounds and turned its attention to military training and the cultivation of martial prowess. 

In winter, it celebrated the Lunar New Year and expressed wishes for the year ahead.

Select exhibits will be rotated every three months, offering returning visitors fresh discoveries across the changing seasons.

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The show is part of a series of thematic exhibitions the Hong Kong Palace Museum has jointly developed with the Palace Museum. Other major exhibitions in the lineup include Brilliance: Ming Dynasty Ceramic Treasures from the Palace Museum, 1368–1644, running from July 1 to Jan 2, 2028; The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Heavenly Horses: Masterpieces from the Palace Museum, running from March 20 to March 17, 2027; The Forbidden City and the World — Cultural Encounters, running from June 3 till March 6, 2028; and Design for the Forbidden City: Imperial Workshops of the Qing Court, running from Sept 30 to Sept 18, 2028.

China Daily photographer Andy Chong offers a glimpse inside the exhibition.