The Imperial History Repository, also known as ‘Huang Shi Chong’, served as the royal archive for the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, originally constructed in July of the 13th year of the Jiajing era (1534). This site was dedicated to housing royal materials from both dynasties, including imperial edicts, decrees, and various documents stored in the Inner Court, which were essential for compiling comprehensive historical records.
Built in the style of ancient Chinese ‘stone chambers and golden caskets’, the entire structure, including the lintels, brackets, doors, and windows, are crafted from white marble. The construction eschews wood entirely, utilizing only bricks and stones, making it a true stone palace. The stone structure is beneficial for fire and moisture prevention, ensuring the preservation of precious documents.
Not only is the building constructed entirely from stone, but the storage cabinets for the books, known as ‘golden caskets’, are also made from camphor wood with dragon-carved copper exteriors. The entire design of the building and its furnishings is perfect, well-crafted, and fully functional, offering a luxurious and durable space that is fireproof, moisture-proof, insect-proof, and mold-proof, with a stable temperature that is ideal for preserving archival documents.
Opening Hours: Open year-round from Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00; closed on Saturdays and Sundays for individual visitors. Group visits are available upon request, with specific operational status subject to daily opening conditions.
