Constructed in 1420, the building was rebuilt in 1686. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the front hall served as the bedchambers of the imperial consorts. In 1845, the Palace of Prolonging Happiness was destroyed by fire.
In 1909, construction of the Hall of Water (Shui Dian), a three-story building, began on the original site of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness. The Hall of Water was known informally as the "Crystal Palace" (Shuijing Gong). When the Qing dynasty fell, the construction had not been finished.
After the Palace Museum was established in 1925, a modern storage facility was constructed and opened in June of 1931. In 2005, the East Wing of that compound was designated as the Center of Calligraphy and painting Research, the West Wing was made into the Center for Ceramic Research, and the central building was converted into the Examination and Research Laboratory on Ancient Ceramics.
In 1909, construction of the Hall of Water (Shui Dian), a three-story building, began on the original site of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness. The Hall of Water was known informally as the "Crystal Palace" (Shuijing Gong). When the Qing dynasty fell, the construction had not been finished.
After the Palace Museum was established in 1925, a modern storage facility was constructed and opened in June of 1931. In 2005, the East Wing of that compound was designated as the Center of Calligraphy and painting Research, the West Wing was made into the Center for Ceramic Research, and the central building was converted into the Examination and Research Laboratory on Ancient Ceramics.
