Hangzhou, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, has been pampered by the royal family ever since the Northern Song days, but never really got the official stamp of approval. In the hearts of the Song emperors, the real capital was always Kaifeng—Hangzhou was just a "temporary pit stop." Even the palace here was called the "Xingzai," which basically means "we’re just crashing here for a few days, bro, I’m not admitting defeat, I’ll take it back someday!"
With that kind of mindset, the Southern Song court wasn’t about to waste much effort on a mere "pit stop." The warm breeze in Hangzhou makes tourists tipsy, and they start thinking it’s just like Bianzhou. Tourists can lose themselves, but the rulers have to keep their heads straight. Plus, when the Song court fled south, they were broke, so the early Hangzhou palace was nothing like the fancy royal digs you’d expect. It wasn’t until the end of the dynasty, when wariness faded and luxury took over, that the "Xingzai" started to look a bit like a real palace.
Of course, that’s how it went down on Earth.
But in this world, things are totally different. When the Song court first ran south, they really were flat broke, but thanks to trade with the southern seas, they bounced back fast. Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Hangzhou’s scenery is gorgeous, the city is bustling and rich, and the palace is built to impress—way fancier than in real history.
Especially now, with Emperor Richard Song on the throne for decades. This guy loves his creature comforts—fixing this today, building that tomorrow. After years of upgrades, the palace is now a full-blown luxury resort.
"Wow, not bad, this place is awesome!" Jill Young didn’t actually say it out loud, but her face, as she looked at the endless pavilions and sparkling waters, basically screamed that emoji.
First, let’s talk about the setting—the Southern Song palace really is a stunner. Hangzhou’s got that gentle, southern vibe, and the palace totally soaked it up. It’s split into two main parts: the official halls up front and the private gardens in back. The front is all business, but the back? That’s where the magic happens.
Compared to the stiff, intimidating Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the back gardens here in Hangzhou’s palace are way more lavish and laid-back. There’s water everywhere, bridges over the water, lakes scattered like pearls, all nestled right in the heart of the palace.
With a place like this, how could you not thrive?
And then there’s the royal bling. The palace maids come and go, the consorts parade around, and everything they wear, carry, or hold is a sight to behold—way fancier than those cheap knockoff costumes at modern tourist spots. The decor inside? Pure luxury. The incense alone screams royal status. It’s basically Ancient China’s version of a reality show mansion.