Shenyang Imperial Palace gets a facelift

The octagonal Dazhengdian (Hall of Great Affairs), the main architecture on the east axis of Shenyang Imperial Palace, is under renovation in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, on July 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shenyang Imperial Palace, one of the two most intact group of imperial buildings ever built in China, is located in Shenyang city, Liaoning province.

The palace was built in 1625 by Nurhachi when the Manchus declared Shenyang to be their capital.

The Shenyang Imperial Palace has a history of 400 years and consists of a cluster of palaces surrounded by walls on the east, middle and west sides.

The layout of the palace is natural, sublime and imposing and its design is very similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing but is slightly smaller.