Location?

Situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District
15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central Beijing

The name?

The Summer Palace was used as a summer residence by China's imperial rulers. It was used as a retreat from the main imperial palace now known as the Palace Musem (''Forbidden City'')
It was a pleasureground in the countryside, yet near to the city.

bridge single

bridge single
It is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in modern China
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.

What to Expect

The Summer Palace is really a museum of traditional Chinese gardening....

It uses rocks, plants, pavilions, ponds, cobble paths and other garden styles.to create a poetic effect between different scenes.

When you walk around the Summer Palace, you will constantly find the area changing

Friday, January 9, 2009

Marble Boat

Marble Boat
Also known as the Boat of Purity and Ease
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, the pavilion was destroyed.
It was restored in 1893
At first, before it was destroyed it was built into just one story. Then after it was destroyed it was rebuilt into 2 story's.
The pavilion has a drainage system that runs the rain water through four hollow pillars. The water is finally released into the lake through the mouths of four dragon heads.
On each deck there is a mirror that they say is made for reflecting the lake water.
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