Summer Palace -- Beijing

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MickTravels to China - Beijing, Suzhou
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MickTravels to China - Beijing, Suzhou
The Summer Palace started construction in the 1100's and continued throughout the centuries. The emperors and empresses used it as their summer retreat. 75% of the garden is Kunming Lake. We took a stroll around a small part of the lake, took a boat ride, visited the 17-arch bridge and got a glimpse of Nanhu Island. Only spent the morning, could have stayed longer.

Entrance to the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A dragon head awaits you at the entrance of the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Bronze dragon statue just inside the entrance at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China.  It was so crowded just inside that I am surprised nobody found thei way into this shot.

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The dragon head just inside the entrance at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Throne room at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China.  This place was a garden for the emperor, so he had to have a throne.

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Buildings atop the hill overlooking the lake and the rest of the Summer Palace, Beijing, China.  We didn't go in.

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The walk around the lake is actually a fenced-in sidewalk that zigzags around different buildings.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A small bridge can take you to a smaller island. Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Lotus flower at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A little ways around the lake is a covered walkway that's over 700 meters (.5 miles) long.  It is decorated with paintings on the ceilings and beams.  The paintings are representative of famous Chinese literature or legends. Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A painting depects a scene from the very famous (in China anyway) Go West, which is a 600 year old novel starring the Monkey King.  Now when I was in China this novel was alluded to or directly mentioned several times in completely different contexts, and in some cases I was looked at with amazement that I didn't know what they were talking about.   Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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This painting depicts an old legend of the cloud goddess who came to earth to marry a human.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A brand new gate that didn't really appear to go anywhere special.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Outside looking along the 700+ meter walkway.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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One of the emperors built a marble boat.  It elegantly sits docked where it has never moved in its life.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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You can take a boat ride across the lake in one of these for 10 yuan. Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Boat ride across the lake in the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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The boat docks and protective fence at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Across one side of the lake it looks a lot less crowded.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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The 17-arch bridge across a small part of the lake leads to Nanhu Island.  My guide tried to tell me that this resembled a turtle - the Island on the right was its body, the bridge was its neck, and the pavilion on the left was its head.  I told him that I thought that was a little far-fetched and I think he got insulted.  Don't second guess your guides unless you want to appologize a lot.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A boat escapes under the 17-arch bridge and heads towards a pavilion.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Workers prepare dancing water equipment next to the 17-arch bridge.  Must be getting ready for the Olympics in 2008.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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A water taxi boat makes its way across the lake in front of the large picturesque building at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Some people getting ready to head over the 17-arch bridge to the large island in the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Pavilion at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Wow, even the lake is crowded.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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These rowboats were all locked up.  Wonder when they get them out?  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Lion statues adorn the 17-arch bridge.  They are probably hundreds of years old.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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I guess they really don't want you getting near the water. Fenced sidewalks exist on Nanhu Island, too.

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Lions adorn the 17-arch bridge.  They are probably hundreds of years old.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Rowboats from the other side.  The gate was locked, so I couldn't get in for an even better picture.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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One of the few flowers I saw in any of the Chinese gardens.  It was on a tree.  Email me if you know what kind it is.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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One of the few flowers I saw in any of the Chinese gardens.  It was on a tree.  Email me if you know what kind it is.  Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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Man relaxes at the large pavilion at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China

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