Things To Do in Beijing

by Willettsworld, 1 more photos

Initially built by Emperor Qianlong for his mother to watch operas, this theatre with its two-storey stage was named the "Hall for Listening to Orioles" because in old times, people often compared beautiful voices to the singing of orioles. Before the completion of the Great Stage in the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the Empress Dowager Cixi often watched operas and held banquets here.

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	Summer Palace: Bridge of Banana Plants

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld, 4 more photos

This lovely looking bridge is located near the Marble Boat.

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	Summer Palace: Marble Boat

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld, 4 more photos

The Marble Boat was originally built in 1755 in Chinese style, imitating the sailing boats which Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) took during his inspection to Southern China. In 1860, it was burned down (as it's actually made out of wood and painted to look like marble), and then rebuilt in Western style in 1893 through Empress Dowager Cixi's embezzling naval funds. Inlaid with colourful glass windows and wheels and paved with coloured bricks, the boat is 36 meters (118.1 feet) long, two stories high. Using the huge mirrors fixed on each deck, on rainy days Cixi could enjoy the dainty lake scene while having tea.

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	Summer Palace: Boats

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld

You can take a ferry boat across Kunming Lake from South Lake Island to Longevity Hill. They cost RMB10 per trip. Alternatively you can hire a rowing boat.

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	Summer Palace: Bronze Ox

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld

Cast in 1755, this statue was also called the "Golden Ox". It was placed here in order to control floods. The 80-word ode entitled "Inscriptions on the Golden Ox" inscribed on its back was written by Emperor Qianlong in traditional, "seal" style calligraphy. It's, of course, a great place to have a photo taken.

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	Summer Palace: Spacious Pavilion

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld, 2 more photos

When the Summer Palace was named the Garden of Clear Ripples, there was no wall on the east bank, so one could see afar from all four sides of this pavilion; thus it was named the "Spacious Pavilion". Emperor Qianlong's poems and classical writings were inscribed on a board hanging inside the pavilion.

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	Summer Palace: Seventeen arch Bridge

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld, 4 more photos

Built in 1750, this 150-metre long bridge links the east bank of the lake and South Lake Island. It is the longest bridge in any Chinese imperial garden. Over 500 stone lions in different poses were carved on the posts of the bridge's railings. Four strange animals were carved at both ends of the bridge.

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	Summer Palace: Temple of Timely Rains & Extensive Moisture

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld, 2 more photos

This temple, built on the east bank of the lake, used to be known as the Dragon God Temple but was popularly referred to as the Dragon King Temple. When the lake was expanded during Emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-1795), the temple and its surrounding land were spared to form a new island, which was named South Lake Island. The Dragon God Temple was reconstructed as a place to pray for rain and renamed to its current name. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Empress Dowager Cixi would often land at the dock in front of the temple when she came to the Summer Palace.

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	Summer Palace: Jade Belt Bridge

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld

Built from 1751 to 1764 out of blue stone and white marble, this bridge has a thin and high curved arch just like a jade belt. The ornate bridge railings are decorated with carvings of cranes and other animals. The clearance of the arch was chosen to accommodate the dragon boat of Qianlong Emperor.

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	Summer Palace: Long Corridor

By Willettsworld on August 9, 2009

by Willettsworld,
4 more photos

The Long Corridor is one of the Summer Palace's highlights when it was built in 1750. It starts from the Yaoyue (Inviting the Moon) Gate in the east and ends at Shizhang (Stone Old Man) Pavilion in the west - a distance of 728 metres with 273 sections. On the beams are more than 14,000 colourful paintings depicting birds, flowers, landscapes and stories from Chinese literary classics. Four octagonal, double-eaved pavilions were built intermittently along the corridor. The lower sides prove great places to take a rest!