Palaces were often built homes to prominent political leaders including emperors, their advisors, and their families and concubines. The Dalai Lama also had two palaces, a summer and winter palace. A palace complex could consist of many palaces, each with a seperate, specific purpose, as well as temples, gardens, and other significant architectural works.
Potala Palace
This palace is in Lhasa, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It is more of a complex, consisting of three parts: Potala Palace, Norbulingka, and the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century to house the Dalai Lama, as his "winter palace." Norbulingka, a similiar structure on the Lhasa River, served as his summer palace and is known for its large garden and vibrant environment. Because it was built for the Dalai Lama, this palace contains thousands of artifacts and pieces of Chinese art; it is home to 698 murals, 10,000+ painted scrolls, and artifacts like vases, sculptures, and fine textiles--and now it is recognized as a World Heritage SIte. (UNESCO, 2016).
Sitting on top of Red Mountain in the Lhasa Valley, the palace is known as the highest ancient palace in the world, at a lofty 3,767 meters--roughly 12,400 feet above sea level. It is 13 stories high, with various rooms spread out over 32 acres. In 1959, during the Tibetan Uprising, the Dalai Lama fled to India, leaving the palace to become a museum and popular tourist attraction. Take a virtual tour of the palace grounds and see more breathtaking photos of the palace by clicking here! (Amazing World Places, 2016). |
Map of Lhasa, featuring Potala in the center of the city. Descriptions are in Czech, however Potala is clearly labelled. (Public Domain).
|
The Forbidden City
A map highlighting some of the significant structures of The Forbidden City, like Meridian Gate, the entrance to the palaces. Photo by Nathan Hughes Hamilton CC-BY
|
The Forbidden city, built from 1406-1420, was built for the Ming Dynasty, and housed 24 emperors from two different dynasties. Emperors were believed to have been blessed by Heaven, and because of that the Forbidden City was built in a replica of what they believed Heaven to look like. It is considered the largest palace complex in the world, with 12 Eastern and Western palaces on top of 3 main palaces.It is the world's largest palace complex, with 182 acres, surrounded by a defensive wall. It's made up of 90 palaces/courtyards and 8,704 rooms.
While in the times of emperors the city was forbidden to anyone other than the emperor, his family, and his concubines and advisors (hence the neame "Forbidden City," nowadays it is a very popular tourist spot in China. The many palaces are now home to exhibitions of Chinese culture through art and relics. You can also tour the Imperial Gardens for a change of scenery, or stop in the Mental Cultivation hall--8 emperors from the Qing dynasty called this structure home. (ChinaHighlights, 2016). |
Summer Palace
Built in 1750, the original purpose of the Summer Palace was simply to provide a place for emperors and their families to vacation. Its position on Kunming lake and Longevity Hill, as well as the 742.8 acres of lush gardens surrounding the palace itself have led to its popularity as tourist attraction as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is often regarded as the largest imperial garden in China (TravelChinaGuide, 2008). The palace has been destroyed twice; once a century after its construction, in 1850, and the second time in 1900. Both times it was rebuilt to match its original architecture, and in 1924 it was opened up to the public. Within its gardens you'll find structures like pavillions, bridges, towers, and other palaces, but none as well-known as the Summer Palace. (UNESCO, 2016). Check out this video for a closer look at the Summer Palace in Beijing. |
References:
"Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa." UNESCO. 2016. Web. 3 Dec 2016. Kelly. "The Forbidden CIty--9999 Rooms for 14 Emperors." China Highlights. 2016. "Potala Palace--Highest Palace in the World." "Summer Palace" TravelChinaGuide. Travel China Guide. 2008. Web. 3 Dec. 2016. "Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing." UNESCO. 2016. Web. 3 Dec 2016. |
A look at the Summer Palace. Photo by ReiBei CC-BY
|