Jianrui Camp Drill Hall: Beijing’s Imperial Military Legacy

🌟 Visit the Jianrui Camp Drill Hall: Located in the Xishan area of Beijing, this ancient structure was once used by the Qing Dynasty emperor to train and inspect the Eight Banners Army. Built in the 14th year of the Qianlong era (1749), it is the last remaining example of fortress-style military architecture in Beijing, now designated as a national cultural heritage site.

🏰 Architectural Background: In the 13th year of Qianlong (1748), the Sichuan Jinchuan chieftain, Sha Luobeng, attempted to annex neighboring territories. The Qing army responded, decisively defeating him. Emperor Qianlong personally selected 2,000 soldiers to form the “Jianrui Yuntian Camp,” and established a training ground in the southern foothills of Xiangshan Mountain for ladder assault training. Under the command of Grand Minister Fu Heng, the camp succeeded in capturing Jinchuan, and the training grounds were subsequently transformed into the Drill Hall.

📜 Functions of the Drill Hall: This hall not only served as a training ground for the Jianrui Camp but also as a venue for combined drills of the Eight Banners soldiers. Emperor Qianlong personally visited the hall’s “Song Hall” over 20 times to inspect and reward soldiers for their achievements.

🏛️ Building Layout: From north to south, the structure includes the Tuan City, the Drill Hall, the East and West Attic Rooms (reconstructed), the West City Gate, the Shisheng Temple Stele Pavilion, and the “Fangma Huang City” (now destroyed). The Stele Pavilion and the Fangma Huang City ruins are not yet recovered, but the remaining areas have been converted into exhibition spaces showcasing the “History and Culture of Jianrui Camp.”

🎨 Highlights: Beyond the architecture, the inscriptions on the four-body stone tablet written by Emperor Qianlong on the North City Tower commemorate the Jianrui Camp’s role in quelling the Zunghar rebellion. The replica paintings on the South City Tower are also worth seeing.

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