Beijing China: SUMMER PALACE

Day 3 in Beijing:  Picturesque Summer Palace

(3 of 4 destinations)

An Imperial Garden in Beijing, as inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1998:  it described the place as “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.  The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value”.

View of the entrance of Summer Palace, from the lake

The Summer Palace served as the summer resort for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty and the retirement residence of Empress Dowager Cixi (mother of the emperor) in 1866.  The palace has a lake and a hill.  The Kunming Lake (2.2sq km.) is man-made through excavation of soil and the excavated soil was used to build the Longevity Hill (60 meters high).   We can see that the emperors are fond of this type of architecture, as the lake surrounding Forbidden City was also excavated and the excavated soil made into the hill in Jingshan Park. 

Kunming Lake, with a view of Longevity Hill

It is so peaceful and serene in the palace.  Willow and other trees provide shade and the view of the lake calms the spirit.  Coming from the stone and bare structures of Forbidden City, one can see that the summer resort provides a breath of fresh air for the emperor’s family.  It is such a welcome retreat! 

Pavilions on Longevity Hill

The Longevity Hill is the highest point in the palace and overlooks the whole palace: with the many halls and pavilions and gardens, and of course, Kunming Lake.  On top of Longevity Hill is the Tower of Buddhist Incense.

Tower of Buddhist Incense, atop Longevity Hill

Upon entering the palace, we were met by the splendid beauty of willow trees and the lake. 

   

Setting for the perfect getaway: Blue skies, green willow trees, serene lake, and a pavilion

Coming from the entrance, we turned right and followed the pathway, through gardens and pavilions and corridors. 

One of the many gardens in Summer Palace

This corridor is recorded as the longest corridor in the world and within its length, are four pavilions, each representing the seasons of the year.

Corridor and pavilion

We passed the entrance of the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill and some of us went up to the tower. 

  

Stairs leading to & from the tower

At the end of the corridor, we saw the Marble boat.  This boat is made of wood but painted to look like marble.  "On each deck, there is a large mirror to reflect the waters of the lake and give an impression of total immersion in the aquatic environment."-(Wikipedia)

"Marble boat", made of wood

From the point where the Marble boat is, we rode a dragon boat to cross to the other side of the lake.

Dragon boat

The dragon boat took us to the place where the Seventeen-Arch Bridge is.  As the name suggests, the bridge has seventeen arches and links to an island, called Nanhu.

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

From the base of the bridge looking up to its highest point in the middle, one cannot see the other side of the bridge; instead, one sees the clouds beyond the bridge.  Since the Bridge is white and kept clean, its feels like entering the clouds and the heavens! What imagination! 

View from the base of the bridge

Not counting the Great Wall, Summer Palace is my most favourite place in the whole tour.