Ba Sing Se - Earth Kingdom Capital
Ba Sing Se is the massive capital of the Earth Kingdom, where it encompasses nearly all of the northeastern corner of the kingdom. After the fall of Omashu it was the last great Earth Kingdom stronghold. The city is by far the largest in the World of Avatar, essentially being more of a small country than a mere city. Ba Sing Se means "Impenetrable City;" the city is so named for its world-famous walls, the gates of which have no hinges or other hardware, and are opened by use of Earthbending. Within the Outer Wall lies a large expanse of farmland, Lake Laogai, and several mountains. The Inner Wall encloses the city itself. The city is also notable for having a unique system of walls dividing the populace into different parts of the city based on social status.
Ba Sing Se was the safest place for refugees displaced by the War because of the Fire Nation's failure to penetrate its walls. However, it was eventually captured by the Fire Nation in the Coup of Ba Sing Se. The city was later liberated by the Order of the White Lotus in the final battle of the War.
Ba Sing Se was the safest place for refugees displaced by the War because of the Fire Nation's failure to penetrate its walls. However, it was eventually captured by the Fire Nation in the Coup of Ba Sing Se. The city was later liberated by the Order of the White Lotus in the final battle of the War.
The Lower Ring (Lowest Social Class)
The Lower Ring is home to the poor classes of Ba Sing Se's society and the majority of its population. These consist of newcomers to the city, including its multitude of refugees, and people who work with their hands' such as artisans, laborers, and craftsman. Due to the impoverished state of the citizens of the Lower Ring, as well as the influx of refugees, it is implied that the crime rate is significantly higher. The Lower Ring is also the most densely populated area of Ba Sing Se. Buildings in the Lower Ring are generally small, because the Lower Ring houses the majority of the populace, and many people need to be crammed into the space available. The roofs of most buildings here are brown tiled, indicating the poor status of the owners. "Lower Ring" is written in Chinese as 下環.
The Middle Ring (Middle Social Class)
The Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se contains the city's middle-class populace. Inside this ring are a vast assortment of shops and restaurants as well as the financial district and Town Hall, one of the oldest buildings in the Middle Ring. Ba Sing Se University, a massive warehouse of knowledge and a key landmark of the city, is also located in this area. The buildings of this Ring are larger than those of the Lower Ring, and the roofs are tiled green. It has a generally richer and more peaceful atmosphere than the Lower Ring, and there are many flowers and trees. Citizens of the Middle Ring are free to enter the Agrarian Zone, Lower Ring, Middle Ring and the Upper Ring without needing permission. "Middle Ring" is written in Chinese as 中環.
The Upper Ring (Highest Social Class)
The richest of the three rings, the Upper Ring contains the city's upper class population, as well as military and government officials. The most important citizens of the city reside here, protected against criminal activity by the presence of the Dai Li. The Royal Palace is located in the center of the Upper Ring, within its own walls. Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph received a home positioned in the Upper Ring. The buildings of the Upper Ring are generally huge walled compounds, much like small versions of the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace itself, and the roofs are done with yellow tiles to symbolize the richness of the building and its owners. Upper Ring Citizens are free to go wherever they please within Ba Sing Se. "Upper Ring" is written in Chinese as 上環.
The Fighting Cliffs
South of Ba Sing Se, the fighting cliffs, one white and the other red, face each other with a wide ravine between them. Early Earth Kingdom natives noticed that the ground of the ravine was charred and black, and legend holds that the cliffs were created in an ancient battle between Earthbenders and Firebenders, the conflict being so awesome that the very ground they fought on soaked up their power and animosity. The cliffs are currently mined for "spark rocks," small stones used by Earth Kingdom citizens to start fires.
The Council's War Room
The Council's War Room is a large room located in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se where the Council of Five meets to discuss war plans before sending them to the Earth King for final approval. Prior to the Earth King's revelation regarding the war, the Generals would send their plans to Grand Secretariat Long Feng for approval. On the floor of the room is a large map of the world, with colored stone tokens spread across it to represent military units. The Generals move these tokens around with Earthbending to deduce the most effective battle strategies. It is here where General How and the others made the decision to use General Fong's base as the launching point for the Fire Nation invasion.
The Crystal Catacombs
Underneath the palace, and possibly much of the city, lies Old Ba Sing Se, an ancient underground city deep within the earth. These catacombs are the remnants of the first settlement in the area, carved underground by Earthbenders. As the old city spread to the surface, the caverns were abandoned and eventually buried beneath the new city. Inside the interior of Old Ba Sing Se still lie ancient stone structures, a waterfall and pool, and the luminescent green crystals that gave Ba Sing Se its fame.
The Fancy Lady Day Spa
Located in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, this full-service salon and spa caters to "the whole you". As indicated by its name, it provides quality service for upper class women.
External, internal, and spiritual cleansing is provided in a relaxing, holistic atmosphere, with treatments such as mud baths, pedicures, and saunas. There is a Spa University attached to the building which offers a degree program (and reduced rates for customers willing to be experimented upon by students).
External, internal, and spiritual cleansing is provided in a relaxing, holistic atmosphere, with treatments such as mud baths, pedicures, and saunas. There is a Spa University attached to the building which offers a degree program (and reduced rates for customers willing to be experimented upon by students).
The Ba Sing Se Zoo
Originally located within the city, the Ba Sing Se Zoo was rebuilt by Avatar Aang and relocated to the agrarian zone of Ba Sing Se.
The Middle Ring Restaurant
Located in the Middle Ring, this "hidden jewel" may never rise above its "B" rating to attract the oval-ring set, but is considered a "charming," "reasonably priced" place with "real bistro atmosphere," and a "rare find" popular with the Ba Sing Se and Spa University sets. The Middle Ring restaurant offers a "Tourist Menu" and an "unbelievably complex" fried appetizer sampler platter. Jin took Zuko here for dinner on their date.
Team Avatar's Home
Team Avatar's home was a one-story, three bedroom, and one washroom upper ring house dedicated to them during their stay at Ba Sing Se. This home, its furnishings and services were provided free of charge.
The Jasmine Dragon Teashop
The Jasmine Dragon is a traditional-looking tea shop in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se; due to its location, its clientèle mostly consisted of the upper class citizens of the Earth Kingdom capital. It was once failing, but now completely revived after Iroh took over. It opened shortly after he and Zuko arrived in the city as refugees. Iroh named it that because, in his words, "It's dramatic, poetic, and it has a nice ring to it".