The Summer Palace

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"We're all goin' on a ... summer holiday". Now this is a place where I could happily spend my summer holiday. The Palace began construction in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) but it was extended continuously over the years. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it had become a luxurious royal garden providing royal families with rest and entertainment.
In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it for her own benefit, changing its name to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). She was an interesting character. She is known as 'The Dragon Lady' and no I'm not talking about my mother-in-law. She apparently wasted China’s entire military money turning the palace into a luxurious playground. What a dragon lady! spending the kid's inheritance like that.
At the same time the Japanese were spending gazillions building up their own military might, especially their navy. The only military or navy thing she constructed was a stone boat which wasn't much good when China was invaded in 1900. It was, in fact, their entire naval resources. (I don't have a picture of it).
After the 1911 revolution, the Summer Palace was opened to the public.
Go to http://www.kinabaloo.com/summer_palace.html for more pictures and details and corrections to my history lesson.

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Photos

Entering the Palace
As with other Chinese temples and monuments, you are not prepared for the bigness, the immense bigness, the overwhelming bigness of the Summer Palace. Everything in China is big.

Our party
This hall is called ......... no, sorry I've forgotten.

En Guard
The Lions guard the Summer Palace. I think this is the female lion. The male was on the right of the picture. (or the other way around??)

The 'Other' Lion
Tom standing with 'The Other Lion'.

Another Palace
Jenni and Suzanne in front of ...... another palace!!

Gate Leading to the Lake
The lake in the Summer Palace takes up most of the area of the park. It was dug by workers before the invention of bigger bigger diggers

Pavillion at the Lake
This small pavillion compliments the scene of the lake beautifully.

The Lake
Jenni at the bank of the lake. Don''t step back!!

Jenni and Tom
The lake is basically in the centrepiece of the palace complex. Willows line the shore and the big buddhist temple, The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge),can be seen in the background.

Jenni and Ryk
Looking towards the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge). The lake, called Kumming Lake, is used for ice skating in winter and boat rides the rest of the year.

The Whole Party
What would the Dragon Lady think of this lot? 'Off with their heads!!'

Tom and Chris
In a courtyard. The Emperors used to keep his 10 000 concubines in these living quarters.

Water Scribe
The scribe writes in water. It dries and disappears. Don't write down anything important!!

The Boys
Tom and Joel sit outside one of the living quarters (maybe waiting for one of the 10 000 concubines??).

The Family
Standing outside one of the many living quarters.

The Long Corridor
The Long Corridor was built in 1750 and burnt down in 1860. It was rebuilt in 1868. It is in Guinness Book of Records for being the longest continuously painted hall (or something like that). It is 728 metres long. That's a long way to the bathroom!!

Jenni and Tom in The Long Corridor
'Are we there yet?'

Beautiful Art work
Looking up at the ceiling art work at one of the 4 octagonal double eaved pavillions along the Long Corridor. They each have names. This was 'Mesmerizing Scenery'.

Framing The Lake
This structure frames the lake.

The Temple
The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) is the focus of the Summer Palace.