Chinese palace

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A Chinese palace is an imperial complex where the court, civil government, royal garden and defensive fortress resided. Its structures are considerable and elaborate. The Chinese character Gong (宮; meaning "palace") represents two connected rooms (呂) under a roof (宀). Originally the character applied to any residence or mansion, but it was used in reference to solely the imperial residence since the Qin dynasty (3rd century BC). A traditional Chinese palace comprises multiple buildings arranged within expansive walled and moated compounds. It contains large halls (殿) for ceremonies and official functions, along with smaller structures such as temples, towers, residences, galleries, courtyards, gardens, and auxiliary buildings. The world's largest palace to have ever existed, the Weiyang Palace, was built by the Western Han dynasty on the order of the Emperor Gaozu. The world's largest palace currently still in existence, the Forbidden City, was constructed by the Ming dynasty during the reign of the Yongle Emperor.