Beijing and Beyond: The Dreamy Filming Locations of The Last Emperor

If you’ve ever wandered through the grand halls of the Forbidden City in Beijing and felt a whisper of ancient royalty, you might be closer to the world of The Last Emperor than you think. This legendary 1987 film, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, isn’t just famous for its sweeping storytelling—it’s a masterpiece of filming on real, historical locations across China.

Let’s tiptoe through the magical sites where The Last Emperor was brought to life, from golden palaces to secret gardens, and discover how the production team captured the spirit of a vanishing world.

Forbidden City: The Crown Jewel of The Last Emperor Filming Locations

The heart of The Last Emperor beats strongest in Beijing’s Forbidden City. For the very first time, the Chinese government allowed an international film crew to shoot inside this UNESCO World Heritage site. With its endless courtyards, crimson walls, and golden roofs shimmering under the Beijing sun, the Forbidden City provided an authentic and majestic backdrop for the young Pu Yi’s early years as emperor.

Filming here was no small feat. The production needed to respect the delicate structures while still capturing the grandeur of the imperial court. Scenes of ceremonies, private moments of the emperor, and the gradual decline of Qing dynasty traditions were all lovingly filmed within these historic walls. Walking through the Hall of Supreme Harmony or along the Inner Court corridors today feels like stepping straight into the movie.

Summer Palace: Whispering Echoes of Royal Leisure

Not far from the Forbidden City lies another treasure—the Summer Palace (颐和园, Yiheyuan). Famous for its shimmering Kunming Lake and the long, painted corridors, the Summer Palace brought a different flavor to the film. It offered a glimpse into the leisure side of imperial life, contrasting the formality of the Forbidden City.

In The Last Emperor, parts of the Summer Palace’s serene gardens and peaceful waterside scenes were used to portray moments of escape and reflection for Pu Yi. Among weeping willows and marble boats, the film painted a more tender, human portrait of life behind palace walls.

Changchun Puppet Emperor’s Palace: A New Throne for a Fallen Emperor

As Pu Yi’s destiny turned from emperor to puppet ruler under Japanese influence, the movie needed a setting that reflected this strange and tragic chapter. Enter the Changchun Puppet Emperor’s Palace (伪满皇宫博物院) in northeastern China.

Located in Changchun, this palace was built specifically for Pu Yi during his time as the figurehead emperor of the puppet state of Manchukuo. The film used this location to shoot scenes of Pu Yi’s later reign, highlighting the eerie contrast between faded grandeur and political manipulation. The stark architecture and somber mood of the palace perfectly echoed Pu Yi’s loss of true power.

Zhang Garden in Tianjin: Life in Exile

Before becoming the "puppet emperor," Pu Yi spent years living in relative luxury—but also uncertainty—in Tianjin. Zhang Garden (张园) was one of his main residences, a Western-style mansion with art deco influences.

In The Last Emperor, the scenes of Pu Yi’s exile life were shot at locations like Zhang Garden, capturing the atmosphere of 1920s Tianjin, a cosmopolitan city full of foreign concessions and political intrigue. Strolling through the villa’s airy rooms and shaded courtyards today, you can almost hear the echoes of a young emperor dreaming of restoration.

Chengde Mountain Resort: A Breath of Imperial Summer

Lastly, to add more layers to the imperial landscapes, the film also journeyed to the Chengde Mountain Resort (承德避暑山庄) in Hebei Province. Once a summer retreat for Qing emperors, Chengde offered lush gardens, lakes, and grand pavilions far from the bustle of Beijing.

In The Last Emperor, this setting helped to depict the broader world of the Qing Dynasty’s royal lifestyle. With misty mountains in the background and elegant halls nestled among ancient trees, Chengde lent the film a dreamier, almost mythical touch.

A Cinematic Love Letter to China’s History

Through these carefully chosen filming locations, The Last Emperor doesn’t just tell the story of Pu Yi—it also captures the spirit of China's imperial past in breathtaking detail. From the golden courtyards of the Forbidden City to the melancholy corridors of the Puppet Emperor’s Palace, each place acts like a living character, whispering stories of power, loss, and the slow turning of history’s wheel.

If you ever find yourself wandering through Beijing, Changchun, Tianjin, or Chengde, take a slow walk, breathe in the history, and imagine yourself in the pages of this unforgettable cinematic journey.