Chaotiangong Palace [Nanjing]

Chaotian Palace located at Yeshan Hill in the west of Nanjing City. According to legend, the emperor of Wu State of the times of Spring and Autumn, cast swords here. The name of Chaotian Palace started to be used in the Ming Dynasty. The present structures built on a grand scale at the end of the Qing Dynasty are laid out symmetrically on either side of the axis.　Chaotian Palace was formerly an imperial palace in the Ming dynasty, (1368-1644) but is now transformed into the Municipal Museum. The palace was once a school for privileged children and also a location for the nobility to worship their ancestors. Imperial times and Ming dynasty court life are reenacted daily at the palace square, complete with eunuchs, courtiers, guards and dancing girls. The museum is small but contains some excellent bronze pieces.