Day 245 Staycation in Beijing Day 2- Summer Palace

Last evening I popped up from my subway stop
coming home from Peking Man, and there were
Chinese men digging massive holes in the ground
by hand.  This morning, there were full grown
pine trees planted. Things move fast in China.

Day Two of the Staycation in Beijing began with Duong, her
momma and son (who arrived just days ago from Vietnam)
and I boarding the subway for a trip up to the NW side of
 town to visit the gorgeous grounds of the Summer Palace.

It seemed as if one million other Chinese also thought the
Summer Palace was a good way to spend a warm, sunny Saturday.

It didn't look like a walk in the park was going to be all that relaxing.
Oh, China, all 1.3 billion of you...

Say hello to my new Vietnamese friend and momma :)

We entered from the north gate, crossed the canal, and
began the trek up Longevity Hill.

Going down before we start up!

Starting to see some pretty views 'out yonder'!

The first climb led us to the Tower of Dawn Light.

Then it was up further to the Four Great Regions.
Momma Vietnam was a trooper!

We had a beautiful view of the Glazed Tile
Pagoda of Many Treasures, and the city of Beijing.

The golden tiles on the roof indicate the
building was owned by the Imperials. In fact,
the Summer Palace was built by Emperor Qinglong
in 1750.  Then it was simply a 'pleasure garden' for
the emperors and empresses through 1859.

I loved the glazed tile exterior of the Realm of
Multitudinous Fragrance, whatever that means!
In each of the 'cathedral style' tiles was a Buddha.

The entire building was covered with these Buddhas.

As we walked the exterior of the building, I found the coolest door :)

We passed through the Shanxian Temple...

...before we made our way up to the Tower
of the Fragrance of the Buddha.
What a lovely family pictured here :)

The architecture is incredible.

The detail in the painted ceilings is absolutely gorgeous.

I wonder what is the significance of leaving
money at the alters of the Buddhas.
I have seen this in Temples everywhere

We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the base of the Tower.
Thank you, Duong!

As we left the Tower to begin the long trek down
Longevity Hill, I SAW WATER AND BOATS!!!!
I didn't realize that the Summer Palace had a beautiful
lake, Lake Kunming.  There were tour boats out on the
lake- which means this girlie is getting on the water today :)))

OMG, look at that view :)

So pretty! I was itchin' to make my way down.

Happiest girls in China!

It was quite the walk down- momma hung in there!

The Hall of Dispelling Clouds

I love the detail in the tiles; dragons, lions, and mythical creatures.

A beautiful day spent in a beautiful place :)

You can see the Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha in
the background behind the Hall of Dispelling Clouds.
So colorful :)

Still standing, and still smiling!

Next we walked along the Long Corridor, treating
ourselves to some ice cream. It was a perfect day
for ice cream, and the Long Corridor followed
the shoreline of Lake Kunming.

This was what I was waiting to see- the Marble Boat!

I had read about this earlier...it's Chinese name is the
Clear and Peaceful Boat.  It was unbelievable to see up close!

Then we boarded one of the tour boats for a trip across the lake.

On a boat, with the wind in my hair, on a lake, in China-
Soooo happy :)  I never quit smiling the whole trip :)))

Duong was happy, too. It reminded her of
the boats from her childhood back in Vietnam.

As the boat crossed the lake, this was the
view looking back to the north of all the
buildings and Temples we had walked through
on our way down Longevity Hill to Lake Kunming.

We got off at the South Lake Island.  We passed
by the Hall of the Embracing Universe, (and
the odoriferous squatty potties) before we
realized we were marooned on an island!

It was a hilly island, too- poor momma :/

After consulting the map AGAIN, we finally found the
Seventeen Arches Bridge to take us to the south end of the park.

Several Chinese men were flying their kites
off the bridge- it's serious business!  They
were strapped in with back supports like
they were deep sea fishing and hooked a marlin, lol.
I was impressed by the stainless reel for the kite string:)

The Seventeen Arches Bridge is the longest bridge of any
Chinese Imperial Garden.  There are over 500 carvings
or statues of lions all along the bridge.  

This little cutie was walking off the bridge as I
was, and I asked to take her photo.  In as much
as the Chinese love their selfie sticks to snap
pictures of themselves all the time, they are
reluctant to have others take their pictures.

Xiuyi Bridge

There also is a canal system that circles the Palace and Gardens.

So, the original "Old Summer Palace" which was used by Qing emperors for nearly 150 years was largely destroyed by foreign troops in the Second Opium War from 1858-1860.  In 1886, Empress Dowager Cixi (a former concubine) used diverted military funds to rebuild it at the present location, hence, the "New Summer Palace". In 1900, it was seriously damaged by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers, during the Boxer Rebellion. This time, the buildings were restored.  By 1914, the New Summer Palace was opened to the public as a private park of the Qing Imperial family.  By 1924, the general public was allowed to enter, as it became a public park for all to enjoy.  I wanted to visit the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, but I will save that for another day.  The Summer Palace is a beautiful park, and it was a beautiful way to spend a summer day- just ask the one million Chinese visitors who all had the same idea to join us ;)

G'nite, y'all!