Movable Toilets in the Forbidden City

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City had no fixed toilets. Instead, it used movable commodes known as 'guanfang'. Today, there are 14 public toilets along the open routes of the Palace Museum. Here is a detailed introduction:

Movable Toilets of the Ming and Qing Dynasties - Guanfang

• The Emperor's Guanfang: Mostly crafted from precious golden nanmu and sandalwood, they were exquisitely carved and had excellent sealing properties. The interiors were pre-lined with thick layers of aloeswood ash and fragrant wood shavings, which instantly wrapped, absorbed, and locked in odors when waste fell. The imperial guanfang used by Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing dynasty was particularly luxurious, carved from a single block of sandalwood into the shape of a gecko. Its four claws provided stable and slip-resistant support, its eyes were inlaid with gemstones, and its mouth held specially made soft toilet paper.
• The Empress's Guanfang: These were rectangular and carved with phoenix patterns, highlighting her noble status.
• The Imperial Concubines' Guanfang: These were oval-shaped and carved with intertwining peony flowers, reflecting their high status.
• Lower-ranking concubines such as changzai and daying: They used smaller copper basins, which differed significantly in material and size from the guanfang used by higher-ranking concubines. After use, the guanfang were immediately removed and cleaned to maintain the cleanliness of the palace environment. The Forbidden City did not build fixed toilets for two reasons: first, for safety considerations, as no trenches could be dug underground; second, for hygiene, as fixed toilets would easily emit odors in summer and could breed plague germs.

Today's Public Toilets Today, there are 14 public toilets along the open routes of the Palace Museum, all managed by dedicated staff to provide basic toilet services for visitors. The restrooms west of the Imperial Garden and east of the Zijin Academy have been selected as pilot projects for design renovation, and the remaining restrooms in the open areas will gradually undergo renovation and improvement to better meet visitor needs and enhance their visiting experience. From the movable guanfang of the Ming and Qing dynasties to today's fixed public toilets, the toilet facilities in the Forbidden City have undergone tremendous changes, reflecting the progress of the times and the increasing demands for quality of life.