The remains of a massive imperial palace have been uncovered at the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qinshihuang (259-210 BC), in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. Covering an area of 170,000 square meters, the palace was nearly one fourth the size of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is the largest complex ever found at the final resting place of Qinshihuang, the first monarch to unite China. The palace included 18 courtyard houses and a main building that overlooked them. The finding could shed light on the architectural styles of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) and Emperor Qinshihuang’s wish to continue to live in imperial grandeur in the afterlife.

Source: China Today