We'll tour the most and largest
royal garden in the world - The Summer Palace.
As its name implies, the Summer Palace was an imperial summer resort
- an escape from the baking heat of the capital. It is a delightful
collection of halls, shaded corridors, pavilions and gardens, set on
a wooded hillside on the shore of an artificial lake. Its basic
layout dates from the 18th century, when the emperor Qianlong
extensively remodeled it, but in 1860 foreign troops on a punitive
raid on Beijing burned it to the ground. It was rebuilt in 1888
under the guidance of the Dowager Empress Cixi, who loved the
complex, and diverted funds from the Chinese navy for the project.
Then the Summer Palace was destroyed again in 1900 by foreign forces
as a reprisal for the Boxer Rebellion, and again it was rebuilt to
Cixi's design. Today, it is one of China's grandest museum gardens.
Jnshan Park
will be our next stop. It is located opposite to the North Gate of
the Forbidden City. It covers an area of 57 acres, standing in the
central south-north axis of the royal town.It is found on Jingshan
Hill, which was originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen
Hill or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill). The mid summit of the hill is the
highest point in Beijing. Looking from the peak, the visitor is able
to get a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.
Beihai Park
or so-called Winter Palace
is one of the oldest
and best-preserved imperial gardens situated in the heart of the
city near the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park. The garden covers an
area of 69 hectares with a lake extending to over half of the
grounds. Some of the park's scenic attractions include the White
Pagoda, Hao Pu Creek, Jingxin Studio, Nine Dragon Screen, Five
Dragon Pavilion and Circular City.
When visiting Beijing, the 'real' cultural
center lies within the hutongs. This is where local
Beijingers live their lives not knowing what is going on in Beijing
itself, sometimes. You will find really down to Earth good locals
amazed at you visiting as a Waiguoren, or foreigners. These people
are hard working people who will be delighted to meet you.
Each hutongs are unique to another and is growing
in popularity as it is more community oriented. Many foreign expats,
also, are wanting to relocate within the hutongs for security and
for the community environment. A famous hutong where many
rickshaw
tours are held are in the
Houhai area.
Check other