There are many palaces built in China in the past, such as the Xianyang Palace in the Qin Dynasty, the Weiyang Palace in the Han Dynasty, the Daming Palace in the Tang Dynasty, and the Forbidden City in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These palaces are the crystallization of ancient Chinese architectural art, national symbols and national treasures.

The Daming Palace, located on the Longshou Plain in Xi'an, was the most gorgeous palace in the Tang Empire. Covering an area of 3.2 square kilometers, it is divided into two parts: the former dynasty and the inner court. The central buildings include Hanyuan Hall, Xuanzheng Hall, Zichen Hall, etc. Danfeng Gate is the main south gate of Daming Palace. There is a tall Danfeng Tower built on the gate. It is connected with Hanyuan Hall, Xuanzheng Hall and Zichen Hall, forming the central axis of Daming Palace.

Danfeng Gate, like Tiananmen Square, is the main entrance of the palace, and only the emperor can enter and exit. Danfeng Gate has five doorways, which belongs to the highest standard among the palace gates. According to textual research, Danfeng Gate is the largest in size in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Its size is larger than Tiananmen Square and is known as the "First Gate of the Tang Dynasty."

Danfeng Gate was built in the second year of Longshuo of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. The existing site is located north of Ziqiang East Road in Xi'an City. In 2005, comprehensive archaeological excavation was launched at the Danfengmen site, and it was discovered that its piers and foundations were huge, unprecedented in ancient city gates.

Danfeng Gate was an important place for the Tang Empire to hold celebrations and diplomatic activities. In the 18th year of Kaiyuan, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty hosted a banquet at Danfengmen in honor of the Eastern and Western Turkic envoys. A famous diplomatic conflict also occurred during the banquet. Both envoys believed that the other party should not sit in the seat. Finally, after consultation between Tang officials, they had two seats, and the dispute was settled.

"Promulgating pardon" is the main function of Danfeng Gate. After Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, whenever the state granted amnesty, a "Golden Rooster Release Prisoners" ceremony would be held at Danfeng Gate, and the emperor would personally read out the pardon order at Danfeng Tower. Therefore, every amnesty day, the people of Chang 'an gather in Danfengmen Square to see the emperor's true face and feel the majesty of his kindness. After the amnesty order is read out, the prisoners will be released on the spot.

To the north of Danfeng Gate is the main hall of Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall, which was the place where the empire held major celebrations and court meetings. Hanyuan Hall has a high terrain and towering buildings. There is a dragon tail road on the left and right. Standing on the main hall, you can overlook the entire Chang 'an City. The northern part of Daming Palace belongs to the "Inner Court", which includes the royal garden Taiyechi, the royal banquet venue, Linde Hall, and Taoist buildings such as Sanqing Hall.

In October 2010, the Daming Palace National Heritage Park was completed and opened. The park takes site protection as its core concept and has become Xi'an's "Urban Central Park". The Daming Palace site is a typical representative of the Tang Dynasty culture and an important node in the history of Xi'an's urban development. The Danfengmen site adopts the method of exposure and display, and a protection hall is built on the site. Academician Zhang Jinqiu of the Northwest Architectural Design Institute was invited to serve as the chief designer. The completed Danfengmen has two floors. The first floor is a multimedia display area and archaeological area; one side of the second floor is a cultural relics display hall, and the other side is a visit platform for the Danfengmen ruins.

Currently, the area south of Danfengmen is undergoing renovation, and it is planned to build Danfengmen Square connecting Xi'an Railway Station. After the completion of the project, Xi'an Railway Station will realize double squares in the north and south, expand the station building area from 33,000 square meters to 86,000 square meters, and realize seamless connection between trains and Metro Lines 4 and 7.

(Text: Peter Pan/Review: Ice Cream)