31,000 jade pieces
The Palace Museum holds about 31,000 jade objects from neolithic burial pieces to Qing imperial carvings. The single most famous piece is the Qianlong Emperor's 'Da Yu Taming Floods' carving (1787) - a single block of Khotan jade 2.4 metres tall and over 5 tonnes, depicting the legendary Yu the Great organising flood control. The jade was cut from a single boulder in Xinjiang, dragged 4,000 km by ox-cart and sledge over 3 years, and carved over 6 more years - the largest jade carving ever made.
- Drive time from Beijing: n/a
- Typical visit style: Treasure Gallery: 60-90 min add-on
- Difficulty: Easy - indoor display
- Crowds: Quieter than central axis
- Best for: Art and craft-curious visitors; Travellers willing to add the Treasure Gallery
- Less ideal for: Short-visit travellers
Jade highlights
| Era | Type | Highlight piece |
|---|---|---|
| Neolithic + Shang | Ritual jade | Bi discs + cong tubes |
| Han dynasty | Burial jade | Jade burial suits with gold thread |
| Tang + Song | Decorative + ornamental jade | Jade hairpins, pendants |
| Ming dynasty | Imperial gift jade | Belt plaques, scholar items |
| Qing Qianlong (1736-1795) | Large carved jade | Da Yu Taming Floods (1787, 5+ tonnes) |
| Qing imperial seals | Jade seals | Several hundred imperial seals |
Da Yu Taming Floods
The single most famous piece in the Palace Museum's jade collection. Commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor and completed in 1787 after 6 years of carving by master craftsmen in Yangzhou. Single block of Khotan (Hetian) jade from Xinjiang, 2.4 metres tall, over 5 tonnes - the largest jade carving in history. Depicts Yu the Great (the legendary 4th-millennium-BCE figure who organised flood control) directing workers on a mountainside. On permanent display in the Treasure Gallery.
- Commissioned by Qianlong, 1787.
- 6 years of carving.
- 2.4 m tall, 5+ tonnes.
- Largest jade carving in history.
- Permanent display: Treasure Gallery.
Qing imperial jade seals
Imperial seals carved from jade were used to authenticate documents. The Palace Museum holds several hundred imperial seals - small carved jade blocks with seal-script characters, sometimes topped with dragon or phoenix figures. The most important were the 'Twenty-Five Treasures' of Qianlong, ceremonial seals representing different imperial functions. Each is displayed with its function explanation.
- Several hundred imperial seals.
- Jade carved with seal-script characters.
- 'Twenty-Five Treasures' of Qianlong: ceremonial seals.
- Topped with dragon / phoenix figures.
Where to see them
All in the Treasure Gallery in the northeast corner of the Forbidden City (Hall of Imperial Supremacy area). Access requires a 10 RMB additional ticket; allow 60-90 minutes for the full gallery. The Da Yu Taming Floods has its own large display hall. The gallery also displays imperial gold, ceremonial objects, and select porcelain - it's the densest cultural-treasure room in the Forbidden City.
- Treasure Gallery: NE corner.
- 10 RMB additional ticket.
- 60-90 min for full gallery.
- Da Yu in its own large display hall.
Khotan and Hetian jade origin
The finest Chinese imperial jade came from Khotan (modern Hetian, Xinjiang) - a 4,000 km westward trade. Khotan jade is nephrite (not jadeite) and prized for its 'mutton fat' creaminess; emperors paid extraordinary sums for raw jade boulders. The Yu Taming Floods boulder was reportedly the largest piece ever transported east - 3 years of ox-cart and sledge travel along Silk Road routes.
- Khotan (Hetian), Xinjiang.
- Nephrite, not jadeite.
- 'Mutton fat' creaminess prized.
- Silk Road westward trade 4,000 km.
Common jade mistakes
Skipping the Treasure Gallery
10 RMB extra; the Da Yu Taming Floods alone is worth the ticket.
Confusing nephrite with jadeite
Chinese imperial jade is mostly nephrite (creamy, Khotan-sourced). Jadeite (vivid green, Burmese) became fashionable only in late Qing.
Treating jade as decoration only
Jade carried ritual, burial, and authentication functions across 4,000+ years. The collection spans neolithic to Qing.
Forbidden City jade FAQ
- The Qianlong-era Da Yu Taming Floods carving (1787) - 2.4 m tall, 5+ tonnes, largest jade carving in history. On permanent display in the Treasure Gallery.
- About 31,000 pieces, from neolithic burial pieces to Qing imperial carvings.
- Treasure Gallery in the northeast corner. 10 RMB additional ticket, 60-90 min for the full gallery.
- Khotan (modern Hetian, Xinjiang) - 4,000 km westward trade along Silk Road routes.
- Mostly nephrite (creamy white, 'mutton fat'). Jadeite (vivid green, Burmese-sourced) became fashionable only in late Qing.
- 9 years total - 3 years to transport the jade boulder from Khotan, 6 years to carve at Yangzhou.
Add the Treasure Gallery
Our private FC day can include the Treasure Gallery for a 4-hour deep visit. The Da Yu Taming Floods is the unmissable centrepiece.
If you want to see the porcelain alongside, the porcelain page covers what's in the Wuyingdian gallery.