Since 1981 the Baroque castle of Drottningholm, situated twelve kilometres from Stockholm, has been the official residence of the Swedish royal family. Within the beautiful Drottningholm Park is an exceptional architectural jewel, Kina Slott, a picturesque Chinese pleasure palace that is one of the most captivating examples of the exotic world of the Far East as visualised by Sweden’s former aristocracy.

After the Swedish East India Company first arrived in China in 1733 everything Chinese was highly fashionable. In each corner of Europe numerous buildings were suddenly inspired by Chinese art and architecture thus many tea-houses, pavilions and tiny pleasure palaces became in vogue.

The pavilion still contains several valuable silk wallpapers, lacquered umbrellas and other exotic examples. An exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain is one of the most celebrated exhibits as porcelain played a vital role in the dining hall where food arrived in quite spectacular manner - the table rose up directly from the kitchen!

Considering such ingenuity it is understandable that Kina Slott continues to enjoy much popularity right up to the present day.