Well of Consort Pearl (Zhenfeijing)
The Well of Consort Pearl (Zhenfeijing), once unnamed, is now a must-see in the Forbidden City for a tragic tale that Consort Pearl, loved deeply by Emperor Guangxu ( 1871~1908), met her death here. It is located at the northern tip of the Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshougong).
A Lively & Trendy Lady with Progressive Views
Consort Pearl, born in 1876, was a young, beautiful, and spirited woman. Growing up in Guangzhou, the first bustling port city open to foreign trade during the Qing Dynasty (1644~1911), she was influenced by open-minded elders. Craving a life filled with freedom and ease, she had a flair for fashion, embraced new ideas, and wasn't fond of old etiquette.
Emperor Guangxu’s Beloved Consort & Reform Ally
At just 13 years old, Consort Pearl entered the imperial palace and quickly captured Emperor Guangxu's heart with her youthful charm and beauty. Seeing his sadness under Empress Dowager Cixi's (1835~1908) iron rule, she wanted to bring joy back into his life.
When Guangxu dreamed of renovating his country through reform, Consort Pearl stood by his side, offering ideas, strategies, and even secretly reaching out to officials to raise funds.
Dowager Cixi’s Eyesore
While Emperor Guangxu found solace from Consort Pearl, Dowager Cixi saw only a threat to her power. She grew furious and kept a close watch on Pearl, waiting for any moment to strike.
Consort Pearl, undeterred by the threat, often defied palace rules. She dared to wear men’s clothing and even the emperor’s dragon robe. Despite photography being strictly prohibited, she pursued this hobby with passion, often capturing memorable moments with Emperor Guangxu.
Therefore, Pearl was taught lots of harsh lessons by Cixi, such as that in 1894, she was stripped and beat publicly for her extravagant lifestyle when she wore a cheongsam adorned with countless pearls. After Emperor Guangxu's reform efforts failed in 1898, she was stopped to see Guangxu again and imprisoned in a small, secluded courtyard.
Murdered by Dowager Cixi
In 1900, Beijing fell to foreign powers. Dowager Cixi did not forget to lay murderous hands on Consort Pearl before she fled to Xi'an with Emperor Guangxu who was under house arrest before. She ordered a eunuch to tell Consort Pearl to jump into a well to commit suicide under the excuse of "avoiding the defilement of the foreigners".
Resisted but Tragically Fell
However, Consort Pearl did not buy it and abused before Cixi. Full of rage, Cixi commanded some eunuchs to push her into the well. They took her to the Eight Treasures Glided Well (Babaoliulijing) but failed as she held the marble column tightly. They then moved her to a bald well and pushed her down with full strength.
To ensure she wouldn't escape, they sealed the well with a heavy stone. Poor Consort Pearl was just 24 years old when her life was brutally cut short.
Today, the Well of Consort Pearl looks small, with a diameter of just 33 centimeters (13 inches), barely big enough for a child. But back in 1900, when Consort Pearl was pushed in, it was a normal-sized well, easily accessible to adults. Later, a stone was placed over it with a small hole and an iron bar to prevent anyone from falling in. Some say Dowager Cixi, fearing vengeful spirits after returning to Beijing, ordered these changes.
No, the well has long been dry and now serves as a protected cultural relic, open solely for visits.
Consort Pearl's body wasn't left in the well forever. After resting there for over a year, it was retrieved by her elder sister, Consort Jin, in 1901. A mourning hall was then built nearby. Emperor Guangxu honored her posthumously, giving her the title of Noble Consort, and she was buried in the Mausoleum of Chongling, tombs next to the one of the emperor.
The Well of Consort Pearl has quite a few ghost stories floating around, thanks to its tragic past and the eerie atmosphere. Visitors have claimed to see a white-clad female ghost weeping by the well at night, hear bubbling sounds, and even catch glimpses of shadows dressed in old Qing Dynasty clothes gliding past.
But before you get too caught up in the drama, experts remind us that these tales are likely just the eerie red walls and the tragic history playing tricks on our minds. There's no scientific evidence to support these ghostly claims.
An extra ticket for the Treasure Gallery costing 10 yuan is necessary. Simply enter through the gallery's entrance and follow the route to its northern end to find the well.
Well of Consort Pearl Legendary – A Lady's Tragic Life
Who is Consort Pearl?
A Lively & Trendy Lady with Progressive ViewsConsort Pearl, born in 1876, was a young, beautiful, and spirited woman. Growing up in Guangzhou, the first bustling port city open to foreign trade during the Qing Dynasty (1644~1911), she was influenced by open-minded elders. Craving a life filled with freedom and ease, she had a flair for fashion, embraced new ideas, and wasn't fond of old etiquette.
Emperor Guangxu’s Beloved Consort & Reform AllyAt just 13 years old, Consort Pearl entered the imperial palace and quickly captured Emperor Guangxu's heart with her youthful charm and beauty. Seeing his sadness under Empress Dowager Cixi's (1835~1908) iron rule, she wanted to bring joy back into his life.
When Guangxu dreamed of renovating his country through reform, Consort Pearl stood by his side, offering ideas, strategies, and even secretly reaching out to officials to raise funds.
Dowager Cixi’s EyesoreWhile Emperor Guangxu found solace from Consort Pearl, Dowager Cixi saw only a threat to her power. She grew furious and kept a close watch on Pearl, waiting for any moment to strike.
Consort Pearl, undeterred by the threat, often defied palace rules. She dared to wear men’s clothing and even the emperor’s dragon robe. Despite photography being strictly prohibited, she pursued this hobby with passion, often capturing memorable moments with Emperor Guangxu.
Therefore, Pearl was taught lots of harsh lessons by Cixi, such as that in 1894, she was stripped and beat publicly for her extravagant lifestyle when she wore a cheongsam adorned with countless pearls. After Emperor Guangxu's reform efforts failed in 1898, she was stopped to see Guangxu again and imprisoned in a small, secluded courtyard.
Why was Consort Pearl drown to the well?
Murdered by Dowager Cixi |
| Dowager Cixi |
In 1900, Beijing fell to foreign powers. Dowager Cixi did not forget to lay murderous hands on Consort Pearl before she fled to Xi'an with Emperor Guangxu who was under house arrest before. She ordered a eunuch to tell Consort Pearl to jump into a well to commit suicide under the excuse of "avoiding the defilement of the foreigners".
Resisted but Tragically FellHowever, Consort Pearl did not buy it and abused before Cixi. Full of rage, Cixi commanded some eunuchs to push her into the well. They took her to the Eight Treasures Glided Well (Babaoliulijing) but failed as she held the marble column tightly. They then moved her to a bald well and pushed her down with full strength.
To ensure she wouldn't escape, they sealed the well with a heavy stone. Poor Consort Pearl was just 24 years old when her life was brutally cut short.
Questions You May Ask about the Well of Consort Pearl
Q1: How could Consort Pearl have been pushed into the Well of Consort Pearl, which looks quite small today?
Today, the Well of Consort Pearl looks small, with a diameter of just 33 centimeters (13 inches), barely big enough for a child. But back in 1900, when Consort Pearl was pushed in, it was a normal-sized well, easily accessible to adults. Later, a stone was placed over it with a small hole and an iron bar to prevent anyone from falling in. Some say Dowager Cixi, fearing vengeful spirits after returning to Beijing, ordered these changes.
Q2: Is the water from the Well of Consort Pearl still drinkable?
No, the well has long been dry and now serves as a protected cultural relic, open solely for visits.
Q3: Is Consort Pearl still in the Well?
 |
| Consort Jin |
Consort Pearl's body wasn't left in the well forever. After resting there for over a year, it was retrieved by her elder sister, Consort Jin, in 1901. A mourning hall was then built nearby. Emperor Guangxu honored her posthumously, giving her the title of Noble Consort, and she was buried in the Mausoleum of Chongling, tombs next to the one of the emperor.
Q4: Are the ghost stories about Consort Pearl Well real?
The Well of Consort Pearl has quite a few ghost stories floating around, thanks to its tragic past and the eerie atmosphere. Visitors have claimed to see a white-clad female ghost weeping by the well at night, hear bubbling sounds, and even catch glimpses of shadows dressed in old Qing Dynasty clothes gliding past.
But before you get too caught up in the drama, experts remind us that these tales are likely just the eerie red walls and the tragic history playing tricks on our minds. There's no scientific evidence to support these ghostly claims.
Q5: Upon entering the Forbidden City, is an additional ticket required to visit the Well of Consort Pearl?
An extra ticket for the Treasure Gallery costing 10 yuan is necessary. Simply enter through the gallery's entrance and follow the route to its northern end to find the well.
- Last updated on Apr. 29, 2025 by Jally Zhang -