Topic

Imperial Palaces of Han and Tang Dynasties

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In the past, the places where the imperial family lived permanently or temporarily were generally called palaces (gongdian), combining gong (palace) and dian (hall). Because watch towers (que) were situated outside the gates of palaces, another term for imperial palaces is gongque. China’s twin heydays are the Han (206 BCE–220 CE) and the Tang (618–907) dynasties. The architectural features of the palaces and court cultures of these “golden ages” thus had a profound influence on those that followed.

 

In the Western Han (206 BCE–9 CE) dynasty, the capital city Chang’an (in modern Xi’an, Shaanxi) had three important palaces: Changle, Weiyang, and Jianzhang. They are called the “three palaces of the Han.” Changle Palace consisted of four palace complexes: Changxin, Changqiu, Yongshou, and Yongning. The founder of the Han dynasty, Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang, 256–195 BCE, r. 206/202–195 BCE), generally dealt with state affairs here. The Weiyang Palace, also dating to Emperor Gaozu’s reign, was built one li (500 meters) west of the Changle Palace, and it was extremely luxurious and grand. It was built on an elevation with its many halls and pavilions. The Jianzhang Palace built while Emperor Wu (156–87 BCE, r. 141–87 BCE) was in power had a great number of densely arranged complexes so it is described as being “a forest” of halls and pavilions. Complementing these and mutually enhancing the radiance and beauty of the place were a surrounding lake and hills. Therefore, it was said that the Jianzhang Palace had “a thousand gates and ten thousand doors; its structures are even more elevated than those of the Weiyang Palace.

 

Most halls and pavilions of imperial palaces of the Han dynasty have high foundation platforms. Individual buildings have smaller platforms, while the multi-layered and connected buildings of palace complexes have a large foundation platform with different tiers of platforms provided for the various structures. Section analysis shows that the foundation platforms of elevated Han buildings (including those of the imperial palaces) were mainly rammed earth. This traditional architectural technique (also called pounded earth) was used to make large foundation platforms into “one piece of jade ” in their solidity and strength; these provided much the same effect as today’s “box type” or “raft” foundations . In addition, in the Han dynasty, the use of bricks and tiles, and the three main types of large wooden structures: post and lintel construction, column and tie construction, and log cabin construction, all appeared and reached maturity, contributing to the enduring splendor of Han imperial palaces.

 

Rigorously balanced and boldly magnificent, Tang palaces form a set of architectural systems and aesthetically appealing views, which shows the grand, momentous, majestic, elegant, and liberated spirit of the age.

 

At the Tang capital of Chang’an (also in modern Xi’an, Shaanxi), there were three especially beautiful and important palace complexes: Taiji, Daming, and Xingqing. Taiji Palace was the first important administrative palace and it was the political center of the early Tang. During the reigns of Emperor Gaozu (Li Yuan, 566–635, r. 618–626), the founder of the Tang and his successor Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin, 598–649, r. 626–649), official business, daily life, entertainment, and grand political activities all happened there. Daming Palace was the second political center of the dynasty. It was located outside the north wall of the city but within a “forbidden” (imperially restricted) garden zone and originally envisioned as a place to escape the summer heat so it could be regarded as an early type of “Summer Palace.” Its construction was begun by Emperor Taizong, but it was completed during the reign of Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi, 628–683, r. 649–683). It was left empty for some time before the imperial family moved in and it subsequently became the primary imperial palace during much of the Tang. The Xingqing Palace, close to Longqing Fang (district or ward) at the east of Chang’an, is the third important Tang palace to be discussed and the third among these to be built. It was originally the private residence of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji, 685–762, r. 712–756) when he was an imperial prince. After some expansion it, rather than Daming Palace, became the place where Xuanzong lived and conducted state business such as declaring an amnesty, changing an era name (regnal title), accepting surrenders, receiving felicitations, holding audiences, and giving banquets. Therefore, this palace became the political center of the Tang empire due to Xuanzong’s personal preference. After the turmoil of his later reign and eventual abdication, this palace lost that position and Daming Palace again became dominant.

 

The Tang dynasty is invariably described as “glorious” due to its great achievements in literature, politics, economics, and diplomacy. This provided the foundation of its colorful and rich court culture. During the Tang the trend of drinking tea gradually spread from those inhabiting the inner (imperial) court to those outside the palace, to commoners. This explains the saying “tea emerged in the Tang and flourished in the Song.”

 

For much of the dynasty, Tang society was rich in material goods. Dining, drinking, and merry-making were all extravagant, and the court banquet set a model for these activities. The court banquet in the Tang can be divided into the inner palace banquet and the outer palace banquet. The former was mostly held among imperial family members as a part of their daily lives. It was always a relaxing and pleasant occasion with the added functionality of entertaining family members as well as enriching family relationships. The outer palace banquet was more formal and it was held mainly for non-family members, including officials and the like. Simply speaking, it was a business or work meal hosted by the emperor. Nonetheless, it was extremely extravagant, and normally conducted on a large scale, with rich content and consequent broad influence.

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Last updated:
2020-08-07