My Beijinger Journey: Summer Palace's Vacation
I was not familiar with the Summer Palace (Yihe Yuan) as compared to the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. Having visited the place, it propelled this iconic getaway as one of my favourite spots in Beijing. The Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake, the soil from the man-made lake used to create the hill, are the two most dominant features of this palace. Three quarters of which is water. It is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and was declared as 'a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design'. One of the purposes of this palace was to serve as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi. The palace complex suffered from attacks and had undergone renovation and rebuilt until the structures we see today. I dedicated one part of this journey to this site because we spent nearly six hours exploring the palace complex and all its major attractions, hiking up and down three times (we didn't have a proper map and the directory inside the Palace was misleading, so that had cost us some time and energy). Also, because here is one of my Top 3 sites in Beijing, China.
Going to the Summer Palace was relatively easy by Subway. Use Line 4 to Beigongmen Station and exit following the directions to the Palace, the North Palace Gate. Prepare to walk a lot because the Palace is huge. When we got in, not far from the entrance, was our first station.
I especially liked the Suzhou Street. I felt like i was walking through old China, along the village-like structures built on stones on river bank. The wooden buildings harmonizes with the flowing river and the lush greenery all around; wooden sampans and boats floating on the water with arch bridges to cross over. To amplify the atmosphere, Chinese music were played using wind instruments and artful calligraphy were being drawn. Peace and tranquility. I even felt like i was an emperor taking a vacation at this street, away from the stress of work.
The Suzhou Street was a great first impression of the Summer Palace. After that, we began our climb up the Longevity Hill. There, we entered the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha. From the peak, we overlooked the entire Summer Palace and the Kunming Lake. To think that the lake was man-made was fascinating as it was big.
We went downhill and met with the Long Corridor. As its name suggests, the corridor is long. Imagine walking on corridors the emperors and empress in the past walked. We first moved westward to find the Marble Boat wrapped up for reconstruction. Disappointed, we walked eastward along the Long Corridor. Then we continued walking along the east dyke towards the South Lake Island. From afar, we could see the 17-Arch Bridge, and yes, i counted and there are 17 arches on the bridge. So near yet so far, we continued our pace.
Soon, we were crossing over the 17-Arch Bridge and into the South Lake Island. The main attraction of the island is the Dragon King's Temple. Also, on a clear day, this spot will be one of the best spots to take photos of the popular Tower across the Kunming Lake, on the Longevity Hill. It was rather hazy when we were there and visually wasn't all that impressive.
Later, we visited the Wenchang Gallery and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony. Most of the information boards were in Chinese so i went to ask one lady if they have any in English. She declined and i turned away, looking but not understanding.No photography inside. When i went near her again, she asked why i could speak but not read and offered to read for me on the digital tour. Instead, she brought us on a tour around the gallery, explaining some of the symbols and importance of the artifacts to us. Most things were related to the opera, enjoyed much by the Empress Cixi. She was kind and friendly, and urged us to watch a show, at every hour, on the stage behind the gallery. The Great Stage was the largest imperial stage in ancient China.
After done with the show, we decided we were done exploring. Exhausted and hungry, we returned the same way in, climbing up and down the Longevity Hill, saw the Suzhou Street during sunset, and headed out for KFC. I wanted the Pork Chop Rice because we don't have pork chops served in Malaysia, so i settled for their new dish on the menu. It was chicken patty or nugget with sauce and rice. Devoured.
Summer Palace on the Longevity Hill.
Going to the Summer Palace was relatively easy by Subway. Use Line 4 to Beigongmen Station and exit following the directions to the Palace, the North Palace Gate. Prepare to walk a lot because the Palace is huge. When we got in, not far from the entrance, was our first station.
The rebuilt Suzhou Street captivates.
I especially liked the Suzhou Street. I felt like i was walking through old China, along the village-like structures built on stones on river bank. The wooden buildings harmonizes with the flowing river and the lush greenery all around; wooden sampans and boats floating on the water with arch bridges to cross over. To amplify the atmosphere, Chinese music were played using wind instruments and artful calligraphy were being drawn. Peace and tranquility. I even felt like i was an emperor taking a vacation at this street, away from the stress of work.
Along the river bank.
Harmony with nature.
A beautiful sight.
Enjoyed the music played by this master. I was tempted to buy the instrument or his CD.
The Suzhou Street was a great first impression of the Summer Palace. After that, we began our climb up the Longevity Hill. There, we entered the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha. From the peak, we overlooked the entire Summer Palace and the Kunming Lake. To think that the lake was man-made was fascinating as it was big.
With the many statues outside.
View of the lake.
On the way up.
With the Tower. Trying to hold the tip.
At the peak of the Hill, overlooking the lake with my friends.
We went downhill and met with the Long Corridor. As its name suggests, the corridor is long. Imagine walking on corridors the emperors and empress in the past walked. We first moved westward to find the Marble Boat wrapped up for reconstruction. Disappointed, we walked eastward along the Long Corridor. Then we continued walking along the east dyke towards the South Lake Island. From afar, we could see the 17-Arch Bridge, and yes, i counted and there are 17 arches on the bridge. So near yet so far, we continued our pace.
Long, long, long corridor.
With a Qilin statue.
Shoot first, read later. With the largest stone decoration in the Palace.
With the Bronze Ox.
Count the seventeen at the 17-Arch Bridge.
Soon, we were crossing over the 17-Arch Bridge and into the South Lake Island. The main attraction of the island is the Dragon King's Temple. Also, on a clear day, this spot will be one of the best spots to take photos of the popular Tower across the Kunming Lake, on the Longevity Hill. It was rather hazy when we were there and visually wasn't all that impressive.
The Dragon God.
View of the Longevity Hill across the lake, posing sitting on rocks.
Later, we visited the Wenchang Gallery and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony. Most of the information boards were in Chinese so i went to ask one lady if they have any in English. She declined and i turned away, looking but not understanding.No photography inside. When i went near her again, she asked why i could speak but not read and offered to read for me on the digital tour. Instead, she brought us on a tour around the gallery, explaining some of the symbols and importance of the artifacts to us. Most things were related to the opera, enjoyed much by the Empress Cixi. She was kind and friendly, and urged us to watch a show, at every hour, on the stage behind the gallery. The Great Stage was the largest imperial stage in ancient China.
Powerful and symbolic painting of the Empress Cixi. Each element of this picture represents a meaning.
Other interesting displays used during opera in the past.
I was thrilled to be given the chance to watch an opera, what more on the Great Stage itself!
After done with the show, we decided we were done exploring. Exhausted and hungry, we returned the same way in, climbing up and down the Longevity Hill, saw the Suzhou Street during sunset, and headed out for KFC. I wanted the Pork Chop Rice because we don't have pork chops served in Malaysia, so i settled for their new dish on the menu. It was chicken patty or nugget with sauce and rice. Devoured.
My Beijing KFC meal. Fulfilling.
Summer Palace is definitely a must-visit while in Beijing! A beautiful palace rich in history. Personally recommended.
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