The Hall of Mental Cultivation (养心殿: Yang Xin Dian) is located west of the three back palaces of the inner court and south of the six west palaces. This hall was initially constructed in the reign of Emperor Jiajing (in the mid of the 16th century) and had been serving as the resting place for each emperor. Since the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, this hall had been used as the place for the emperor to live and deal with daily political affairs. Thus, it became the bedchamber of the emperors that time and later. Yang Xin (养心), which means training your mentality.

The location of this hall in the Forbidden City is relatively convenient, and the interior space layout is rich and has multiple functions, including a living room, study, bedroom, and small room where the emperor reads files, has secret conversations, rests and worships the Buddha. It is a better place than a standard solemn hall for an emperor to sleep and have diner. Three of the most famous places in the hall are Emperor Yongzheng’s “Qin Zheng Qin Xian (勤政亲贤: Work hard and love those who really do good for the country and people)” Chamber, Emperor Qianlong’s San Xi Tang and Empress Dowager Cixi’s “Holding-Count-from-behind-a-Screen (垂帘听政)” room at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Source: Translated from baike.baidu.com