The Royal Palace is almost certainly the largest palace compound in the world; with its myriad buildings, gardens, and plazas, it is very nearly a city unto itself. The palace was designed so that it was located at the literal heart of Ba Sing Se, and by extension the Earth Kingdom. It is surrounded on all sides by the Upper Ring, home to the central government ministries and the mansions of the city's wealthiest citizens, bureaucrats, and civil servants. The palace is arranged on a north-south axis which extends beyond its walls to form the central axis of the Upper Ring.
There is the Outer Court, encompassing the important ceremonial buildings at the front and center of the palace. In the Outer Court is the Main Hall, which is both spiritually and physically the heart of the Earth Kingdom - not only is this where the Earth King holds his court, the building itself is located at the very center of Ba Sing Se. Also, there is the Royal Shrine, which is only used by the King and his wife or wives.
Also in the Outer Court is the Throne Room which is located at the center of the Main Hall. 18 large stone pillars run down the entire length of the hall, each topped with intricately painted brackets and supports a corbel from which hangs a large green lantern. Diaphanous curtains are hung throughout the hall to draw attention to the Earth King's throne, situated on a dais near the back of the room and accessed by nine stairs. The throne is surmounted by a massive stone Badgermole clutching the Earth Kingdom's emblem, and in front of a screen painted with scenes of deer, cranes, and mountains on a gold leaf background; above the throne is a large caisson, also colored in gold.
Then there is the Inner Court, which is where the day-to-day life of the royal family plays out. Here is the Palace Grounds which consist of numerous ceremonial temples, quarters to house the king's servants, intricate gardens, and the King's menagerie of rare, exotic animals. In the northeast section of the palace grounds is a large ornamental lake with a pavilion in the center. A large part of the palace's ground is forested, and there are several groves of ornamental cherry trees. Also in the Inner Court is the Tea Palace, an elegant tea room surrounded by lush gardens, and is where tea is brewed and served to the Earth King and his honored guests. This small wooden pavilion has a light and airy design, and features brightly painted beams and pillars; the Earth King, when visiting guests, sits on a low throne on top of a raised platform, complete with a small table for holding cups and two large metal urns. The decorative screen behind the Earth King's throne serves as a focal point for the room, and features a relaxing landscape of lofty, mist-shrouded peaks and pines.
(Side Note: Dear Lord that was a lot of copy/pasting!)
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