This Satellite Image shows an overview of Zhong Hai and Nanhai Lakes, an exclusive Zone since 1949 AD reserved as the Chinese Communist Party Leadership compound. The South Main Gate of the complex stands along Xi (West) Chang An Avenue, is known as the Xinhua Men or Gate of New China, referring to the 1949 AD Declaration of the New Chinese Peoples Republic.
Introduction to the Satellite Image of Zhong Hai and Nan Hai
Before ZhongNanhai became the Leadership Residence Compound of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD, it was part of the extended Imperial Palace of the (later) Ching Dynasty. In 1887 AD, during the Reign of Emperor Xian Feng, The Imperial Palace was extended west-ward to include the Zhong Hai and Nan Hai lakes and their Western Banks.
Clearly visible on the Right-hand of the Image (Arrow), the ZhongNanHai Palace Complex connects directly to the Purple Forbidden Cities' West Flowery Gate (Xi Hua Men) / Gate of Western Glory, that gives access to the Hall of Military Eminence (Wu Ying Dian), a part of the Outer Court of the original Ming Dynasty Palace. In the Past there was no north-south seperating road, and one could easily move in and out of the Palace Walls to enjoy the Lake and Parks at ZhongNanHai.
The ZhongNanHai Park and Palaces are historically famous as the first location of imprisonement of the Guanxu Emperor（Reign 1875 AD － 1908 AD officially), folowing the so-called "Reign behind a Curtain". In this short period, after the 1900 AD Boxer War and the Young Emperor's daring 100 Day Reform Movement, the Emperor was imprisoned in his own Palace. First at the Water Terrace Pavilion on YingTai Island in Nanhai Lake, later cemented into his a room on the outskirts of the City at the (new) Summer Palace.
Since 1875 AD it had not been the Emperor who held the reigns of power, it was China's most notorious feudal Lady, Empress-Dowager Hsu-Tzi aka Cixi the Dragon Lady.
Reign behind a Curtain (1983)
Reign behind a Curtain, the 1983 film depicting the Death of Ching Emperor Hsien Feng and the ensuing chaos at the Imperial Court ending in the Rise to Power of Empress-Dowager Hsu Tsi.
Set at the beautiful
Summer Palace , where after the 1890 invasion and burning of the Imperial Palace the Emperor had fled, Reign behind the Curtain takes the viewer back to 19Th century Imperial Days and is an accurate depiction of the Coup D'Etat that brought China's most hated lady to power, as well as a true documentary of now forgotten chinese imperial culture.
