[1] Located in a remote area of the Forbidden City and described as one of its most "exotic" looking structures, this residence was built in 1420 as the "Palace of Longevity" (长寿宫; Chángshòugōng).

[2][3] In 1535, it was renamed the "Palace of Prolonging Auspiciousness" (延祺宫; Yánqígōng) by the Jiajing Emperor.

[2] Rebuilding work began in 1909, with a main hall being replaced by the "Water Hall" (水殿; Shuǐdiàn), a new three-story Western-style structure surrounded by a moat that was supposed to be filled with spring water from Yuquan Mountain near Beijing.

Empress Dowager Longyu inscribed the plaque for it, which read "Lingzhao Pavilion" (灵沼轩; Língzhǎoxuān; lit.

'Pavilion of the Nimble Pond'); the building is more commonly known as the "Crystal Palace" (水晶宮; Shuǐjīnggōng).