Zhongnanhai, Government headquarters in Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Zhongnanhai is a governmental complex in Xicheng District, Beijing, China, encompassing office buildings, historic pavilions, and two connected lakes. The site covers 100 hectares and combines traditional architecture with modern administrative structures along paved pathways.
The garden complex originated during the Liao Dynasty as an imperial park and was expanded and reshaped by later dynasties. After the fall of the empire, the site became the presidential residence and later the seat of the party and government.
The former imperial gardens remain preserved with their traditional pavilions and bridges, shaping the character of the site today. Visitors can only view the outer walls through the gates, marking the transition between public space and protected administrative area.
The compound is not accessible to the public, and only the outer walls and the gate facing Tian'anmen Square are visible from the street. Those exploring the area will find information panels along the western Changan Street that explain the historical context.
The name means central and southern seas and refers to the two bodies of water that serve as natural boundaries within the site. These lakes date back to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and were originally created to supply the imperial palace.
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