The Summer Palace in Beijing China is this ACTA’s Dream Destination. Since all the world is there witnessing wonderful athletic feats, I thought we would see what the historical minded could get up to while in Beijing.
The Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan or Garden of Peace and Harmony), originally the summer home of the Chinese Emporers and eventually the home of the Dowager Empress CiXi, is an extravagant garden, home and showplace – a place of artistic and ancient beauty. The extensive exhibitions within and without the palace could keep a sightseer busy for days on end.
This video shows some lovely views of the Summer Palace - and it will open in a new Window!
When the last Qing Emperor, PuYi, was thrown out of the Palaces in 1924, the Summer Palace was turned into a park. The Summer Palace is a popular resor for both domestic and international tourists. It is also considered the perfect place for a romantic getaway!
"The halls, pavilions, bridges and temples, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, all blend together harmoniously in spite of their individual styles. Ingeniously conceived and elaborately designed, the Summer Palace, featuring the garden styles of both northern and southern China, is justifiably known as the “garden of gardens.” The Summer Palace represents a quintessentially Chinese ideal of harmony between man and nature."
A few of the noteworthy places to see while visiting the Summer Palace:
The Marble Boat, which is actually made of both marble and wood - with the wood painted to resemble marble - was built in 1889 with embezzled funds that were originally earmarked to rebuild the new imperial navy. This embezzlement was conducted through the Dowager Empress CiXi’s contacts in the navy.
The Marble Boat Pavilion has a sophisticated drainage system that channels rain water through four hollow pillars. The water is finally released into the lake through the mouths of four dragonheads.
The Garden of Harmonious Interests (XieQuYuan) is a garden within a garden. This garden is known for it’s distinctive layout and design. Bridges and pavilions surround the water and are arranged to employ the art of Feng Shui and for artistic effect. This Garden was once the beloved fishing hole for the Dowager Empress CiXi and it is said that when she came out to fish, her eunuch servants would dive into the pool to hang fish on her line so that she would be in good spirits.
When you visit Beijing, I hope you will have the chance to take a stroll through the lovely gardens in The Summer Palace, take tea in one of it’s quaint tea shops, relax near the lake and enjoy the beauty that it has to offer.
I have provided a few web resources for this article below. I hope you will take the time to visit them as the photography is excellent and there are literally hundreds of pictures. The Summer Palace is a beautiful place and these websites give you the next best thing to being there!
Resources
BeijingChinaWorld – The Summer Palace (This website has the map contained in this article and a list of links to all the places you see on the map on the left-hand side)
