The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing. It is located 15 kilometers (9 mi) northwest of the city center, and covers an expanse of 2.9 square kilometers (1.1 sq mi). The Summer Palace is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake.
It was first constructed in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for the imperial court. In 1888, it was destroyed by the Anglo-French Allied Force during the Second Opium War. It was rebuilt in the following year, and became the summer resort of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
History
The Summer Palace was first constructed in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty. It was originally called “Qingyiyuan” (Garden of Clear Ripples). It was an imperial garden for the royal court, with a combination of palaces, gardens, and lakes. It was a luxurious garden, with many pavilions, towers, halls, temples, galleries, and other structures.
In 1860, the Summer Palace was destroyed by the Anglo-French Allied Force during the Second Opium War. In 1888, it was rebuilt by the Empress Dowager Cixi, and was renamed the “Garden of Harmonious Pleasure”.
Architecture
The Summer Palace is an ensemble of palaces, gardens, and lakes. It is dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. The hill is about 60 meters (197 ft) high and has many buildings, pavilions, and temples. The most famous is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, which was the residence of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
The lake is about 2.2 kilometers (1.4 mi) long and covers an area of 1.2 square kilometers (0.46 sq mi). The lake is divided into two parts by a causeway, the northern part is called “Ripples of the Moon Lake” and the southern part is called “Garden of Harmonious Pleasure”.
Gardens
The Summer Palace has many gardens, such as the Garden of Harmonious Pleasure, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Garden of Everlasting Spring, Garden of Perfect Brightness, and Garden of Eternal Spring. These gardens are landscaped with pavilions, towers, halls, temples, galleries, and other structures.
The gardens are filled with trees, flowers, and plants. There are also many lakes, streams, and ponds, which are home to many species of birds and fish. The gardens are a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Attractions
The Summer Palace is one of Beijing’s most popular tourist attractions. It is home to many attractions, such as the Marble Boat, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, and the Long Corridor.
The Marble Boat is a replica of a Qing dynasty imperial pleasure boat, made of marble and decorated with dragon motifs. The Tower of Buddhist Incense is a seven-story pagoda with a bronze bell at the top. The Hall of Joyful Longevity is a three-story building, decorated with colorful paintings and calligraphy. The Long Corridor is a covered walkway with painted ceilings, which stretches for 728 meters (2,388 ft).
Conclusion
The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing. It was first constructed in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for the imperial court. In 1888, it was destroyed by the Anglo-French Allied Force during the Second Opium War. It was rebuilt in the following year, and became the summer resort of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
The Summer Palace is an ensemble of palaces, gardens, and lakes, with many pavilions, towers, halls, temples, galleries, and other structures. It is home to many attractions, such as the Marble Boat, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, and the Long Corridor. The gardens are filled with trees, flowers, and plants, and are a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.