Gardens and Parks in Chang’ an, the Capital of the Tang Dynasty

2 min read

The capital of the Tang dynasty was basically reconstructed upon the site of Daxing City of the Sui times, which had the least change in its form and layout. At the time, the Forbidden Garden, the West Inner Garden, and the South Inner Garden were the most celebrated gardens around Chang’ an The so-called Forbidden Garden used to be the Daxing Garden of Sui times, which was located in the north of the capital and boasted many palatial halls and pavilions. The main function of the garden was to raise animals and birds, and cultivate vegetables and fruit trees. The meat and fruits later would be used either as sacrificial offerings or as food to serve guests. Furthermore, the garden maintained the functions of gardens in Han times and followed same supervisory mode.

There are four offices assigned to the care of flowers, trees, birds, and animals, and also of mending and constructing architecture.

Located in the north of the palace, the West Inner Garden was 0.5 km long from north to south and had a width which was same with the Palace of the Supreme Being.

Shaped like a narrow bar, the garden was arranged with many rural landscapes and adored by Tang Emperor Taizong (627-649), who built the Palace of Great Peace when he was still a prince.

The South Inner Garden, also known as Xingqing Palace, was located in the south east of the city. It used to be Emperor Xuanzong’s (712-756) residence before he mounted the throne. At the early years of the emperor’s reign, the South Inner Garden was used as a touring palace where existed ponds, flowerbeds, woods, imperial halls, and storied buildings. Emperor Xuanzong and, his highest-ranking imperial concubine Yang Yuhuan, often dwelled and entertained in magnificent buildings within the garden. In those days, peony was widely cultivated near the Chengxiang Pavilion where the emperor and his wives enjoyed the beauty of the flowers.