Zhongnanhai

Zhongnanhai

Zhongnanhai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhongnanhai is located in Xicheng District, Beijing, and refers to Zhonghai and Nanhai; another sea is Beihai (now Beihai Park). Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai together are called the Three Seas, located to the west of the Forbidden City. Zhongnanhai covers an area of about 1,500 mu, with water surfaces spanning 700 mu. The “Hai” in Zhongnanhai is an abbreviation of the Mongolian word “Haizi,” meaning a body of water. It earned its name because it is situated in the central-southern part of Beijing, hence “Zhongnanhai” (Central and South Lakes), a name that originated in the Yuan Dynasty and has been used ever since.

The architectural complexes of Zhongnanhai and Beihai took their final form during the Ming Dynasty. After Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty established the capital in Beijing, construction of the new imperial palace began in 1406. The Ming imperial city was moved southward from the location of the Yuan Dynasty palaces, so the walls of the Imperial City were also shifted south. To enrich the landscape of the Imperial City gardens, Nanhai was excavated, and the earth excavated along with that from digging the Tongzi River was piled up to form Wansui Mountain (now known as Jingshan). Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai were collectively referred to as the “Taiye Pool,” belonging to the Western Garden of the Imperial City. Beihai and Zhonghai were separated by the Jin’ao Yuzhuo Bridge, while Zhonghai and Nanhai were divided by the Wugong Bridge.

After the Qing Dynasty established its capital in Beijing, the various inner court offices within the Imperial City were abolished, and large areas of land in the Western Garden were converted into residential zones. At the same time, an “Inner Red Wall” was built around Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai, shrinking the imperial garden area within this wall. Compared to the politically symbolic Forbidden City, Qing emperors preferred residing in gardens. Emperors such as Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Qianlong all constructed palaces, halls, and pavilions within Zhongnanhai as summer retreats and governance centers. During the reigns of Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu, Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor would often reside in Zhongnanhai when moving from the Summer Palace to the Forbidden City in December according to court protocol, only traveling to the Forbidden City for ceremonial duties. After the failure of the Hundred Days' Reform, Empress Dowager Cixi imprisoned Emperor Guangxu on Yangyu Islet in Nanhai.

Xinhua Gate is the main entrance to Zhongnanhai, situated on West Chang’an Avenue. It is a two-story building with seven bays in width; the central three bays on the lower floor form the gateway. It features a rolled-brim hip-and-gable roof with yellow glazed tiles outlined in green. Originally built during the Qianlong era as Baoyue Tower, after the Xinhai Revolution, Yuan Shikai converted the tower into a gate and named it “Xinhua Gate,” symbolizing the “New Republic of China.” A screen wall was also built inside the gate, the mosque outside was demolished, and a decorative wall was erected across Chang’an Avenue to shield dilapidated residences. A pair of stone lions, which had been burned down during the Boxer Rebellion at the former residence of Prince Duan, were relocated and placed in front of the gate.

The Hall of Diligent Government was once the principal hall of Zhongnanhai, located on the embankment between Zhonghai and Nanhai, with the main gate Dechang Gate being the northern gate of Nanhai. Facing south, it consists of five bays. Emperor Kangxi inscribed the plaque of the hall with the characters for “Hall of Diligent Government.” During the Hundred Days' Reform, Emperor Guangxu worked here, handling state affairs related to reform and modernization. The original structure was demolished in the early years of the Republic of China, leaving only the place name, and another building was later constructed on the original site.

In May 2006, Zhongnanhai, as an ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing periods, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Transportation

Subway: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen West Station (Exit B, northeast), then walk 100 meters to reach Nanhai.

Bus: Take bus routes 103, 101, or 685 and get off at Xianmen Station, then walk approximately 700 meters to arrive.

Opening Hours

As an office site of state organs, it is currently not open to the public.

Location

No. 1–5, West Chang’an Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units