The Royal Court

The Chinese Pavilion

Interior The Chinese Pavilion. Photo: The Royal Court/Alexis Daflos.
The Chinese Pavilion was built in the middle of the 1700s, a period in European history when chinoiserie was the height of fashion. Today, the pavilion houses one of the finest remaining examples of such an interior.

A good example of this is the Yellow Room, with Chinese lacquer-panel insets in the walls. Lacquer work was particularly fascinating at the time as this type of craftsmanship did not exist in Europe.

The walls not only show an example of exotic craftsmanship but also provide a picture of relations between Asia and Europe 300 years ago.

Here the city of Kanton  on the Yellow river is portrayed. On the banks the European companies´ trading stations can be seen, cut off from the city by double city walls – walls that intended to keep unauthorized people at a distance - not least the Europeans.

The Chinese Pavilion is open between May and September. A guided tour is included in the entrance fee and makes your visit extra special.