The Imperial Tradition of Mulan Autumn Hunts

The Mulan Autumn Hunt (木兰秋狝) was far more than a royal pastime—it was a meticulously orchestrated military exercise, a diplomatic theater, and a cultural institution that defined the Qing Dynasty’s golden age. The term “Mulan” derives from the Manchu word for “deer hunting,” while “autumn hunt” (秋狝) refers to the seasonal tradition rooted in ancient Chinese rituals. Historically, each season had its own hunting designation: spring hunts were called sou, summer miao, winter shou, and autumn xian. For the Qing emperors, the autumn hunt was a sacred practice, blending martial discipline with imperial grandeur.

Emperor Qianlong, who ruled from 1735 to 1796, elevated the Mulan hunts into a spectacle of statecraft. Unlike his reclusive father, the Yongzheng Emperor, Qianlong embraced the tradition with fervor, framing it as both a tribute to his grandfather Kangxi’s legacy and a strategic necessity.

The Great Debate of 1741

In 1741, Qianlong announced his first Mulan expedition, sparking an unexpected controversy. A low-ranking censor named Cong Dong boldly opposed the plan, citing extravagance and neglect of state affairs. This was no trivial matter—censors held unique authority to critique even the emperor. Qianlong, however, turned the debate into a masterclass in political persuasion.

He argued that the hunts were vital for military readiness, invoking Kangxi’s victories against the Revolt of the Three Feudatories. He also revealed Yongzheng’s private regrets for abandoning the tradition, exposing his father’s vulnerabilities to justify his own actions. Most compellingly, Qianlong framed the hunts as a tool for Mongol diplomacy. By hosting Mongol nobles at the hunts, he strengthened alliances critical to Qing dominance. The debate ended with Qianlong’s resounding victory—and a blueprint for legitimizing imperial leisure as statecraft.

Anatomy of an Imperial Hunt

### The Arena: A Wilderness Fortress
The Mulan hunting grounds, established by Kangxi in 1681, spanned 10,000 square kilometers of forests and mountains. At its heart stood the “Viewing City” (看城), a temporary command post where Qianlong observed the chaos below—a blend of military drill and bloodsport.

### The Cast: Thousands in Motion
Qianlong’s entourage dwarfed Kangxi’s: 10,000 soldiers, 1,350 Mongol auxiliaries, and a mobile government including the Grand Council and Imperial Household Department. The logistics were staggering: 10,000 horses, 800 camels, and even a traveling kitchen.

### The Unexpected Participants: Imperial Women
Contrary to martial decorum, Qianlong brought concubines and his mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing. This echoed Nurhaci’s tradition of showcasing victories to royal women—a symbolic display of power and prosperity that critics deemed indulgent. Qianlong retorted: “If I sought mere pleasure, must I travel so far?”

The Political Stage: Chengde Mountain Resort

The hunts’ true brilliance lay in their geopolitical theater. Kangxi had built the Chengde Mountain Resort (避暑山庄) as a summer capital to awe Mongol allies without risking Beijing’s smallpox-ridden summers. Qianlong expanded it into a 72-scene masterpiece, hosting British envoy Lord Macartney in 1793. Here, amid pavilions like “Misty Waves and Cool Breezes” (烟波致爽), Qing diplomacy unfolded through archery displays and Mongol banquets.

The Four Rituals of Celebration

Post-hunt feasts featured Qianlong’s favorite Mongol traditions, immortalized in Giuseppe Castiglione’s Four Scenes of the Banquet:
1. Zhamu (诈马): Bareback horse races with Mongol boys.
2. Shibang (什榜): Thunderous performances on Mongol instruments.
3. Buku (布库): Wrestling matches where victors drank with theatrical flair.
4. Jiaotao (教駣): Daring displays of wild horse taming.

Legacy: The Hunt as Empire

Qianlong conducted 47 Mulan hunts over 54 years, his last at age 85. More than pageantry, they were a microcosm of Qing rule—mobilizing armies, dazzling subjects, and binding Mongol elites to the throne. Even in retirement, he returned to Chengde, proving the hunt was never just a game.

Today, the Mulan hunts endure as a symbol of Qing ingenuity: where diplomacy wore the mask of sport, and power moved to the rhythm of galloping hooves.