Beijing - The Summer Palace
The
Marble Boat
Summer Palace Photo Gallery (Downloadable Pictures)
Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing City,
the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central
Beijing. Being the largest and most well-preserved royal
park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture
and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural
interests, which also has long since been recognized as 'The
Museum of Royal Gardens'.
The construction of the Summer Palace started in 1750 as a
luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and
entertain. It later became the main residence of royal
members in the end of the Qing Dynasty. However, like most
of the gardens of Beijing, it could not elude the rampages
of the Anglo-French Allied Force and was destroyed by fire.
According to historical documents, with original name as
'Qingyi Garden' (Garden of Clear Ripples), the Summer Palace
(Yiheyuan) was renamed after its first reconstruction in
1888. It was also recorded that Empress Dowager
Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it as a resort in
which to spend the rest of her life. In 1900, the Summer
Palace suffered another hit by the Eight-Power Allied Force
and was repaired in the next two years. In 1924, the Summer
Palace was open to the public. It ranked amongst the World
Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1998, as well as one of the
first national AAAAA tourist spots in China.
The Summer Palace radiates fully the natural beauty and the
grandeur of royal gardens. Composed mainly of Longevity Hill
(Wanshou Shan) and Kunming Lake, it occupies an area of
300.59 hectares (742.8 acres). There are over 3,000 man-made
ancient structures which count building space of more than
70,000 square meters, including pavilions, towers, bridges,
corridors, etc. The Summer Palace can be divided into four
parts: the Court Area, Front Hill Area, Rear Hill Area and
Lake Area.
The Court Area is located in the northeast of the Summer
Palace, and it spreads from East Palace Gate to the
northeast coast of Kunming Lake. This was a substitute where
Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu met officials and
conducted state affairs. With the same pattern of the
imperial palace of China-'Palace in front and garden
behind', the Court Area consists of sections for both court
affairs and living. East Palace Gate and Hall of Benevolence
and Longevity served as office of the Emperor. The Hall of
Jade Ripples was for Guangxu to live in and the Hall of
Joyful Longevity for Cixi. There are also the Garden of
Virtue and Harmony where Cixi was entertained and Yiyun Hall
where once lived the Empress Longyu. Moreover, this area is
an integrated transport hub and the first best stop for
visitors to enjoy attractive view of Kunming Lake and
Longevity Hill.
Front-Hill Area is the most magnificent area in the Summer
Palace with the most constructions. It is symmetrically laid
out in east and west many delicate buildings and graceful
gardens with the south-facing Tower of Buddhist Incense as
the central axis. Walking up to the hilltop, on which lots
of important buildings are positioned, including Hall of
Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Baoyun Bronze
Pavilion, Revolving Archives, Hall of the Sea of Wisdom,
etc. Lake Area covers a larger part of the Summer Palace,
and opens up the vista of Kunming Lake, as well as the
sights around Back Lake (Houxi River). East Causeway of the
lake is connected to the West Causeway by Long Gallery,
which both were interspersed with pavilions, bridges and
wharfs. Famous attractions amongst this area are numerous,
including Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Bronze Ox, Nanhu Island,
Hall of Embracing the Universe, Spacious Pavilion, Pavilion
of Bright Scenery, Marble Boat, Suzhou Market Street, etc.
As breeze fluttering, waves gleam and willows kiss the
ripples of the vast water, the highlights can't be let off
from any of the delightful scenery above.
Rear-Hill Area is quiet as compared to Front Hill Area. Most
constructions were never able to be repaired after wars,
only a few ruins are left. In the axis of Rear Hill Area,
there used to be a religious building group-Houda Temple, a
composite structure with both Han and Tibetan characters.
Although the constructions are fewer here, it has a unique
landscape as well with dense green trees and winding paths.
Strolling here, visitors can feel a rare tranquility and
elegance. Famous scenic spots included are Garden of
Harmonious Interests, Hall of Increasing Longevity, Four
Great Regions, Presence of Virtue Temple and Hall of
Serenity, etc.
(ChinaTravelGuide.com)
