Garden of Virtue and Harmony

Walking northward from the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity , visitors will see Deheyuan (Garden of Virtue and Harmony), where Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi watched the performances of the Peking opera. Borrowing from the meaning in the Zuo Commentary, the name "Dehe" suggests "listen to a fine melody and the mind will becalm". This garden consists of the Grand Theater Building, the Hall of Nurtured Joy, and the Dressing House.

The theatre building, 21 meters (69 feet) high and 17 meters (56 feet) wide, consists of three storeys with colorful multiple eaves and elegantly raised corners. With raise catwalks in the ceilings and a winch on the top floor of the building, performers could seem to come down from the 'heaven' or emerge out of the 'earth'. Beneath the ground floor, there is a well and ponds which could spout suddenly to create a water scene. The lighting and sound systems heighten the whole effect. In the past, when there was thunderous clamor on the stage, Empress Dowager Cixi would enjoy the play cozily in the Hall of Cultivated Joy and afterwards rested at the Hall of Celebrating Benevolence.

Now, the garden has been converted into exhibition halls to display the daily utensils used by the imperial family, including bronze wares, porcelains, jade articles and other precious objects.