Summer Palace, Beijing

The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces and was an imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty. Located in the northwest of Beijing and about 10 miles from central Beijing, and is said to be the best-preserved imperial garden in the world and the largest of its kind still in existence in China. It is listed as World Heritage in 1998 by UNESCO and reported that the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.

The Summer Palace was originally built for Emperor Qianlong's mother to celebrate her 60th birthday. Later the Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt it as her residence to live a peaceful life in her old age. During the hot Beijing summers, the imperial family preferred the beautiful gardens and airy pavilions of the Summer Palace to the walled-in Forbidden City.

The Summer Palace takes up an area of 1.1 square mile which is four times the size of the Forbidden City and it is about the size of Central Park in New York. The Summer palace is huge and we are only going to spend half a day here. It is impossible to see everything but David will guide us to see the most interesting places inside the Summer Palace.

In 1912, the Qing Dynasty ended, and the Summer Palace became the private property of the former imperial family of the Qing Empire. Two years later, the Summer Palace was opened to the public.

Entering the Summer Palace from the East gate means walking into the administrative area of the Emperors.

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is the first architectural complex that visitors see. It was built in 1750, burned down in 1860 by the Anglo-French allied forces, and was reconstructed in 1888. There are so many Chinese guided tour with large group of people

East Palace Gate

It is incredible the see so many local tourists visiting the Summer palace.

The guided tour for local tourists are group of at lest 30 to 50 people.

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity which is Empress Dowager Cixi's residence. In front of the hall are two pairs of bronze statues of dragons and phoenixes used as incense burners to perfume the air on formal occasions. Because the Empress Dowager Cixi, rather than the Emperor, managed the affairs of the state, the phoenix statues, which represent the queen, lie in the middle of the courtyard. The dragon statues, representing the Emperor, lie to the side, contrary to tradition. To the north of the hall is a well called "Yannianjing" (Well of Extending Life). It is said that the Empress Dowager Cixi once had a heat stroke and was revived when she drank the clear, sweet water from the well. Hence the well received its present day name.

In the courtyard there is an exquisitely sculpted bronze beast called a Kylin, with dragon head, lion tail, deer horn, and cattle hoof.

It is one of the relics of Yuanmingyuan (the Perfection and Brightness Garden). Five Lake Tai stones entitled "Fengxuwulao" also stand in the courtyard signifying longevity.

We are now headed north.

Gate way to the shore of Lake Kunming

Lake Kunming

On top of the hill is the Tower of Buddhist Incense

The only way to get to the other side of the lake is by boat.

Lots of boats.

Yiyun House is constructed in a typical Chinese courtyard style

This central structure was originally built in the reign of Emperor Qianlong for collecting books.

Yiyun House is actually a complex of structures and includes Yiyun Gate, Yiyun House, Jinxi House, Daocun House and corridors.

The courtyard is facing south and used to be an open space leading directly to the foot of the Longevity Hill. In the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu a north gate and corridors were added.

Rock garden with a view of the golden arch in the distance.

Gate leading the Hall of Joyful Longevity

View of the Hall of Joyful Longevity from the gate.

The Hall of Joyful Longevity, was the major construction in the living area for royalty. It was also the best place in the palace for leisure since it leads east to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity and west to the Long Gallery.

During the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), the Hall of Joyful Longevity was first built as a gift for his mother's sixtieth birthday. There are some ten plaques in the compound and most of them express blessing and auspiciousness

The courtyard

In the center of the courtyard is a huge rock named Blue Fungus-shaped rock.

Historical record show that this giant blue fungus-shaped rock was found by Mi Wanzhon (ancient Chinese painter), an official in the Mind Dynasty. Due to financial ruin, the rock was transported and left in Liangxiang. Later, Emperor Qianlong ordered relocating it here an named it Qinz Zhi Xiu (Blue Fungus-shaped Rock), which was the largest stone arrangement in China.

The Hall of Joyful Longevity is a typical Siheyuan (Chinese quadrangles) compound with a courtyard in the center. There are small yards on two sides of the main house with side houses in east and west wings.

So many Chinese tourists around....

The main entrance of the Hall

The bronze deer, bronze crane and bronze vase placed in front of the main hall symbolize peace.

We are now headed to the longevity hill by passing by the Long Gallery..

The Long Gallery, standing beside Kunming Lake. This wall that you see has decorated windows with a view of the Lake.

View of the Lake through the windows.

The windows are pretty fancy with interesting shape.

Intricate and colorful roof of the Long Gallery

Walkway next to the lake with the Long Gallery on the right.

A pond next to the Long Gallery

Bridge over the pond.

The Long Gallery was first built in the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1750; some say 1749). The emperor built the gallery for his mother to so she could walk out doors regardless of the weather so she might view the garden in rain or snow.

The Empress Dowager Cixi would like to walk here after breakfast every day. Long Gallery was constructed along the natural terrain of Longevity Hill and the turns of Kunming Lake, offering a picturesque view with each step.

Next...Summer Palace continuation