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The Qianlong Emperor of the [[Qing Dynasty]] ruled over one of the longest and most prosperous reigns of late imperial China. Comprising the better part of the 18th century, the Qianlong reign saw numerous significant political, economic, social, and cultural events.

The Qianlong Emperor of the [[Qing Dynasty]] ruled over one of the longest and most prosperous reigns of late imperial China. Comprising the better part of the 18th century, the Qianlong reign saw numerous significant political, economic, social, and cultural events.

He was born at the Yonghegong Tibetan Buddhist temple, where his father the [[Yongzheng Emperor]] was resident at the time; this temple accordingly later gained considerable Qing patronage and rose in prominence and importance.<ref>Waley-Cohen, Joanna. “The New Qing History.” ''Radical History Review'' 88, no. 1 (2004): 199.</ref>

He was born at the Yonghegong Tibetan Buddhist temple in [[Beijing]], where his father the [[Yongzheng Emperor]] was resident at the time; this temple accordingly later gained considerable Qing patronage and rose in prominence and importance, becoming an alternate center for all of [[Tibetan Buddhism]].<ref>Waley-Cohen, Joanna. “The New Qing History.” ''Radical History Review'' 88, no. 1 (2004): 199.</ref>

Qianlong succeeded his father to the throne in [[1735]].

Qianlong succeeded his father to the throne in [[1735]].

During his reign, he attempted to better unite the two Qing bureaucracies of the banners (Mongols, Manchus, and "military" Chinese) and Han Chinese, by requiring members of the banners to take [[Chinese imperial examinations|exams]] in classical Chinese, and not only in Mongol or Manchu. Though deeply committed to Chinese scholarly and cultural traditions, however, Qianlong was also very active in championing Manchu identity, and embracing [[Tibetan Buddhism]], expanding the Imperial compound at [[Chengde]] and transforming it into a religious center in the Tibetan mode.

During his reign, he attempted to better unite the two Qing bureaucracies of the banners (Mongols, Manchus, and "military" Chinese) and Han Chinese, by requiring members of the banners to take [[Chinese imperial examinations|exams]] in classical Chinese, and not only in Mongol or Manchu. Though deeply committed to Chinese scholarly and cultural traditions, however, Qianlong was also very active in championing Manchu identity, and embracing Tibetan Buddhism, expanding the Imperial compound at [[Chengde]] and transforming it into a religious center in the Tibetan mode.

Over the course of his reign, Qianlong also engaged in a number of military adventures, known as the [[Ten Great Campaigns]]. These included, in [[1789]], a Chinese intervention into [[Tay Son|Vietnamese succession disputes]] which ended in the Chinese being expelled from Vietnam.

Over the course of his reign, Qianlong also engaged in a number of military adventures, known as the [[Ten Great Campaigns]]. These included, in [[1789]], a Chinese intervention into [[Tay Son|Vietnamese succession disputes]] which ended in the Chinese being expelled from Vietnam.