How did Qianlong’s reign compare in length with the Kangxi emperor’s reign?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The Kangxi emperor reigned for 61 years. Out of respect for his grandfather, the Qianlong emperor chose to abdicate after reigning for 60 years, so as not to exceed the length of Kangxi’s rule.12

Although Qianlong officially stepped down in 1796, he continued to hold real power until his death, making his actual tenure the longest in Chinese history.1