The Imperial Palace
Contents
- 1 History
- 1.1 1.) Hall of Princes
- 1.2 2.) Tien Gate
- 1.3 3.)Imperial Boulevard
- 1.4 4.)The Royal Theatre
- 1.5 5.)Gate of Heavenly Peace
- 1.6 6.)The Outer Imperial Gardens
- 1.7 7.)Alter of Earthly Harmony
- 1.8 8.)Imperial Residence
- 1.9 9.)The Imperial Office
- 1.10 10.)Hall of Supreme Harmony
- 1.11 11.)Hall of Medium Harmony
- 1.12 12.)Hall of Ceremony
- 1.13 13.)Inner Court
- 1.14 14.)Imperial Notary and Scholarly Mansion
- 1.15 15.)The Queen Mother's Residence
- 1.16 16.)Official Residence of the Imperial Proxy
- 1.17 17.)Official Residence of the Prime Minister
- 1.18 18.)Hall of Royal Harmony
- 1.19 19.)Sovereign Monument
- 1.20 20.)Royal Banquet Hall
- 1.21 21.)Official Guest Residence
- 1.22 22.)Grand Protective Gate
- 1.23 23.)Bureaucratic Offices
- 1.24 24.)Lesser Royal Residences
- 1.25 25.)Inner Royal Theatre
- 1.26 26.)Greater Banquet Hall
- 1.27 27.)Southern Great Gate
- 1.28 28.)Northern Great Gate
- 2 Landmarks
- 3 Links
History
With 9999.5 rooms, the Imperial Palace is the largest palace structure in the continent, perhaps the entire region of Europe. Featuring buildings that have materials imported from all over the world, the Imperial Palace is also the center of royal activity.
1.) Hall of Princes
This is the location for the gathering of the Council of Princes.
2.) Tien Gate
Also refered to as "Heaven's Gate" which is the main archway across the grand avenue that leads to the Imperial Palace.
3.)Imperial Boulevard
The Grand Avenue of the Imperial Palace. It leads directly into the Palace structure and is decorated with ornate statues, large fountains and flower beds.
4.)The Royal Theatre
For official performances to the Emperor, and other officials, heads of state, the Royal Theatre can seat up to 1000 people in a private performance. The other gardens nearby can seat additional people, and the theatre stage elevated to provide a large theater of more than 5000 people. Though small incomparison to other grander theaters in Xi'an the Royal Theatre by far is the most ornate and richly decorated.
5.)Gate of Heavenly Peace
The largest archway that leads to the Imperial Boulevard. The Gate of Heaven Peace is the official entrance to the Imperial Palace by the south.
6.)The Outer Imperial Gardens
A small garden and park devoted to the Emperor. It is open to the general public at nearly all times of the year. Ceremonial processions occur here every lunar celebration for events such as the Mid Autumn festival and the New Year. Members of the Royal Family can be seen there frequently speaking with the public. In the mornings at exactly 7:00am more than 4000 people from Xi'an gather to do Tai Chi at the park.
7.)Alter of Earthly Harmony
The western most hall. Inside contains the grand Alter of Earthly Harmony where the Emperor has to make ceremonial offerings to assure prosperity for the nation. The Alter of Earthly Harmony is an alter constructed of compacted earth. The earth was donated by all imperiums of the nation.
8.)Imperial Residence
The innermost and most secure portion of the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Residence is a palace in its own right with luxurious dining halls, pavilions, gardens and pagodas that are for the Emperor's personal use. Within its secure walls are the private offices of the Imperial Guard, as well as the residence of the Empress.
9.)The Imperial Office
The public work office for the Emperor himself. It is here that he meets privately with offials, right outside the residential halls of his living quarters. The Imperial Office is often suited for many types of visitors, and oddly was one of the few areas that was wheelchair accessable at its construction.
10.)Hall of Supreme Harmony
The largest and most magnificent structure in the entire forbidden palace. Inside the hall is the Imperial Dragon Throne, where the Emperor reads the speeches from the throne. In addition, this is the regular location for the Hall of Deputies and the Hall of Councilors sit for joint meetings. When there are no joint legislative meetings, the Hall of Deputies sits there regularly. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is also the location for Imperial Declarations, Coronations and the bi-annual Gathering of Officials, where every single Political Officer of the Arch-Imperium meets at the courtyard for their ceremonial kowtow to the Emperor. This event invites more than 20,000 officials from all over the Arch-Imperium.
11.)Hall of Medium Harmony
For smaller declarations, and Royal Receptions, the Hall of Medium Harmony hosts these events. Directly behind the far more auspicious Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Medium Harmony was built recently on a small courtyard. Since then it has grown to be a favorite location for the Emperor.
12.)Hall of Ceremony
The Hall of Ceremony is another temple-hall for the Royal Family. However it was opened up as the Hall of Ceremony for the People. As a result of this, ordinary citizens can enter the palace during specified hours to bring offerings to Heaven and their Ancestors. Considering its location is so close to the Hall of Supreme Harmmony, this was a singificant statement to the people by the Emperor.
13.)Inner Court
The Inner Court houses the main internal palace for the Emperor. Next to his official residences this is the location where the Viscounts of the Imperiums, the Grand Dukes and Duchesses, Princes and Princess and other royalty. This Inner Court features gardens, residences, guest houses and banquet halls for the royalty.
14.)Imperial Notary and Scholarly Mansion
The Imperial Library is another word for this portion of the Imperial Palace. It contains a detailed library of virtually every topic imaginable. It appears ancient from the outside but it is one of the newer portions of the Imperial Palace that stretches underground. The main portions of the library archives are in fact underground where the keepers maintain their collections.
15.)The Queen Mother's Residence
The Queen Mother's residence is also a palace in its own right. It houses the handmaidens for the Queen Mother and a small collection of pavilions and gardens, buildings for herself. The Queen Mother often invites many schools of children inside for visits during holidays.
16.)Official Residence of the Imperial Proxy
Another well secured portion of the Imperial Palace. Like the Emperor's own residence it is mostly located underground for protection. Also the five floor mansion that occupies this space is where much of the Imperial Proxy's work can be done. However since the new Imperial Proxy took control of the government, most of the official duties have been moved to an outer hall with more space. Now the residence is strictly a residence.
17.)Official Residence of the Prime Minister
The estate for the Prime Minister. Most of his official duties are carried out here.
18.)Hall of Royal Harmony
Located at the center far back of the Imperial Palace it also focuses as the north entrance, which is rarely used. The Hall of Royal Harmony is the hall of the ancestors. It is a private shrine for the royal families and it contains the royal tablets, which are manifestations of ancestoral worship. The Hall of Royal Harmony is also surrounded by the Garden of Royal Harmony.
19.)Sovereign Monument
Errected to celebrate the 500th year aniversary of the Xheng Dynasty's rule, the Sovereign Monument is the largest golden statue in the entire region. It features a dragon who holds a pearl in his hand.
20.)Royal Banquet Hall
The largest banquet hall in the palace can seat 1000 people. More than 100 tables of ten people each and it also features the largest kitchen as well. Usually food is not prepared within these massive kitchens. The Emperor prefers simple meals in his own private residence.
21.)Official Guest Residence
The Guesthomes for the guests of the Imperial Palace. Many heads of state have stayed in these luxurious appartments that are surrounded by serene gardens and parks.
22.)Grand Protective Gate
This is the large fortified gate at the south of the Imperial Palace that is usually sealed when the palace is on for official events.
23.)Bureaucratic Offices
A large complex of office buildings are for the routine running of the Imperial Palace. These are not actually government offices, because these Bureaucratic offices handle just the Imperial Palace, the rest of the large civil service remains outside the palace. It is here that coordination of servants, the influx of goods and materials are in need of a proper infrastructure. The imperial storerooms are also located here where many of the supplies needed to run the Imperial Palace are kept.
24.)Lesser Royal Residences
The residences for the Princes and other royal family members.
25.)Inner Royal Theatre
The inner theatre is smaller for performances. However it too can be enlarged for more auspicious plays and operas.
26.)Greater Banquet Hall
The larger banquet hall for the Imperial Palace is designed for the grand banquets that are held once a month by the Emperor. Often the entire government's highest officials are invited, for the purpose of keeping an eye on his officials.
27.)Southern Great Gate
28.)Northern Great Gate
Landmarks
Saja Castle The Imperial Palace Kojun Temple Dynastic International HQ Kowloon harbour Tsing-Ma City Zheng-He City Dai Shailan The Dragon Teeth Valley Imperial Telecom TV Tower Jade Tower
Links
See also:
