The Qianlong emperor organized grand birthday celebrations for his mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing in Qianlong 16 (1751), Qianlong 26 (1761), and Qianlong 36 (1771). Given the Qing court’s power and wealth, Qianlong was able to spend generously in decorating Beijing. First, from Xihuamen to Wanshou Temple located outside of Xizhimen, making large expenditures to renovate temples along the waterway - Huitong Temple, Zhantan Temple, Guangtong Temple, Cixian Temple, Wanshou Temple, Guanying Temple, and Shenghua (Lama) Temple. Secondly, Qianlong hired painters to produce four scrolls entitled “Chongqing huangtaihou wanshou shengdian tu” (Painting of the birthday celebration of Empress Dowager Chongqing), which presented stage performances and western architecture, showing Beijing as an important, international city. Moreover, ＂Luhuanhui jingtuce＂ was painted for e Chongqing’s seventieth birthday celebration, and ＂Chongqing huangtaihou wanshou tutieluo＂ was made for her eightieth birthday celebration. ＂Chongqing huangtaihou wanshou tutieluo＂ presented the whole royal family, five generations living in the same roof and full of happiness, thus showing that Chongqing had great fortune and numerous offspring. The birthday celebration of Chongqing was different from the Emperor’s. Civil and military officials and commoners could freely watch the theatrical performances, instead of dropping to their knees on the roadside to meet the imperial chariot. Moreover, women could also go out to enjoy the festivities from their sedan chairs. The provincially dedicated Emerald Pavilion, Yellow Crane Tower, Lake Mirror.and so forth, were spectacular. For his mother’s birthday celebrations, the Qianlong Emperor asked the Imperial Household Departments to renovate famous temples and Beijing’s roads, as well as to organize activities for the Buddhist peace ritual.
