Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Daming Palace National Heritage Park is located at 585 Ziqiang East Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction built on the site of the Tang Dynasty Daming Palace. Here is a detailed introduction:
History
- Construction: In AD 635, Daming Palace was built on Longshou Plateau, north of Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty. It was originally called "Yongan Palace" and later renamed "Daming Palace". In the second year of the Longshuo era, Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, ordered the reconstruction of Daming Palace, making it the main venue for convalescence and political activities.
- Destruction: At the end of the Tang Dynasty, frequent wars caused repeated damage to Daming Palace. It was ultimately destroyed in the second year of the Guangqi era, leaving few palace buildings intact.
- Reconstruction: In October 2007, the Daming Palace Site Protection and Renovation Project was officially launched. On October 1, 2010, Daming Palace National Heritage Park was completed and opened to the public.
Park Layout
- Front Court Area: The political area of Daming Palace is centered on the south-north axis formed by Danfeng Gate, Hanyuan Hall, Xuanzheng Hall, and Zichen Hall. It serves as the archaeological and heritage protection theme exhibition area of the park.
- Rear Residential Area: The residential area in the northern part of Daming Palace was a royal garden and living area during the Tang Dynasty. The garden architecture centered around Taiye Pool showcases the essence of Tang Dynasty garden architecture.
Main Attractions
- Daming Palace Heritage Museum: Located underground at the central axis of Daming Palace National Heritage Park, the museum covers an area of 10,000 square meters. It exhibits artifacts, related materials, and royal utensils from the Tang Dynasty unearthed at the Daming Palace site.
- Liyuan: Located near Taiye Pool in Daming Palace, it was a place for royal entertainment and relaxation during the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang designated Liyuan as the center for music, dance, and theater activities, making it the first comprehensive royal performing arts school in Chinese history.
- Zichen Hall: The main hall of the inner court of Daming Palace, where the emperor met with ministers, listened to political affairs, and held private banquets.
- Taiye Pool: The central landscape of the royal garden in Daming Palace, divided into East Pool and West Pool. The pool's winding banks were once home to islands such as Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, as well as numerous pavilions, towers, and palace buildings along the shore.
- Linde Hall: The banquet hall of Daming Palace and one of the largest palace buildings of the Tang Dynasty. It consists of three halls (front, middle, and rear) and is three times the size of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Ming and Qing Dynasties Forbidden City.