Royal Portable Toilet

The Forbidden City employed a strictly hierarchical system of portable toilets known as 'guanfang', with no permanent toilets. Among them, the emperor's guanfang was the most luxurious.

The Emperor's Guanfang: For daily urination, the emperor used a small and exquisite 'huzi', which was made of a warm material and had a neat shape. For defecation, most of the guanfang used were crafted from precious golden nanmu and sandalwood, exquisitely carved and with excellent sealing properties. The interior was pre-lined with thick layers of agarwood ash and fragrant wood shavings. When waste fell, it was instantly wrapped and absorbed, locking in any odors. The imperial guanfang used by Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing Dynasty was even more stunning. The entire piece was carved from a single block of sandalwood into the shape of a gecko. Its four claws provided a stable and non-slip base, its eyes were inlaid with gemstones, and its mouth held specially made soft toilet paper. The interior was filled with fine sandalwood powder, so that waste would immediately roll into it without any odor.

The Guanfang Used by the Empress, Empress Dowager, and Imperial Concubines: The empress, empress dowager, and imperial concubines enjoyed a high status, second only to the emperor. The imperial ladies did not need to move around much, as each bedroom in the palace had a private toilet area shielded by curtains. The guanfang used by the concubines were mostly made of tin or carved solid wood, with an elegant shape, cleanliness, and durability. Each mistress had a dedicated palace maid to serve her.

Storage and Cleaning of Guanfang: Special 'cleaning rooms' were set up in the side halls, wing rooms, or corners of the major palaces for storing and using the guanfang. After each use, a dedicated person would clean it. For example, for the emperor's guanfang, the eunuchs would immediately cover it completely with incense ash, quickly seal it, and then have a dedicated person carry it out of the palace with both hands for cleaning, drying, and storing with fragrance to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the guanfang and comfort for the next use.