Summer Palace (Beijing, China): description, history, features, locations and reviews

Travelers who visit the capital of China for tourism purposes, guides strongly recommend visiting two palaces. The first is the official place of reception by the emperor of the Celestial Empire of ambassadors of other powers and petitioners of audience. The Purple Palace of the Forbidden City is a continuous officialdom. Its powerful walls and Tiananmen Square are much larger than the Moscow Kremlin. To relax from political affairs and indulge in contemplation of the harmony of nature, a summer palace was built. Beijing, with its smog, buzz and bustle, remained twenty kilometers to the south. Around only paradise bucolic. And it's hard to believe that all landscapes, with an incomparable lake inclusive, are man-made. To say that the summer residence of the Chinese emperor is an analogue of Peterhof or Versailles will be wrong. It is strikingly different from European palace and park complexes. Than? You will learn about this from our article.

History of the residence

The Summer Palace (Beijing) dates back to the reign of the Qin Dynasty. Until this time there were royal gardens and a small manor. In the middle of the eighteenth century, Emperor Qianlong ordered the creation of a luxurious residence in the northwest of the capital. Construction began in 1750-th year. First of all, they began to create the Kunming Lake. Now it occupies three-quarters of the park's area. The prototype for an artificial reservoir was Lake Dianchi. All work was conducted in great haste. The construction was supposed to be completed by the sixtieth anniversary of the emperor's mother. Nevertheless, everything was done on conscience. The land that was raised to create the Kunming Lake was rammed into Longevity Hill. Buddhist temples were built on its top. Unlike the European palace and park complexes, the summer residence of the Chinese emperor does not take much space. Basically, it is a harmonious nature, admired by the royal family.

Summer Palace (Beijing) and Empress Cixi

In 1860, British troops invaded China and the French. Like savage barbarians, they plundered the suburban residence of the emperors of the Celestial Empire. For some time the palace stood in a terrible desolation. Since 1888, by intrigue and poisoning of candidates for the throne, the regent of the two-year-old Emperor Cixi came to power. Women played a small role in the history of China. But Cixi was a bright person. She spent all the money collected on the foundation of the Chinese fleet, to recover from the ashes of a suburban residence. The park, which used to be called Yuanmingyuan (Gardens of Perfect Clarity), was renamed to Ikeyuan - the Place of Calm Old Age and Rest. But in 1900 the European occupiers again plundered the wonderful residence. The view that we see today, the palace and park complex acquired only in the first half of the twentieth century.

What does the residence look like?

It is conditionally divided into two parts:

• The summer imperial palace;
• The Iheyuan Park.

In Beijing, you will find few places where historical and cultural attractions are harmoniously combined with the beauty of nature. The park occupies a large area - about three hundred hectares. Three quarters of it - this is the most beautiful lake of Kunming. From the north it protects from the cold winds the Hill of Longevity - Wanshoushan. All significant buildings were concentrated in the northern part of the park. There is also an entrance to the summer residence of Chinese emperors. In total, it has about three thousand buildings. The entire palace and park complex is included in the UNESCO List. And some of the buildings occupied a worthy place on the pages of the Guinness Book. It is "the longest painted corridor in the world". It stretches along the shore at seven hundred and twenty-eight meters.

Turning into a museum

After the death of the empress-regent Cixi, the summer palace (Beijing) was abandoned. And when the Chinese monarchy was overthrown, he completely disappeared. But Kunming and Howe lakes played a significant role in the water supply of Beijing. They needed to be kept clean. In 1914, the park was opened for visitors. The entrance fee was charged, and the palaces and pavilions were restored to the accumulated funds. As a museum the complex began to function since 1949. Now, the Ikheyuan Park and the former summer residence of the emperors are visited by about five million people every year. For entrance and now they charge a fee. The ticket costs sixty yuan for an adult. This museum is among the top-ten of Beijing's most famous landmarks. It is worth to come here for the whole day. But, in view of the large area, all at once to examine hardly it will be possible. After all, there are three thousand diverse buildings. We list only the most significant, which the tourist can not miss.

Eastern palaces

The main (now - only) entrance to the residence is called Dungunmen. In translation, this means "The Gate of Eastern Palaces". The entrance is guarded by statues of magical animals, designed to provide residents of the residence with longevity and well-being. After passing through the gate, we get to the shopping street of Suzhou. Numerous servants had no right to leave the summer imperial palace in Beijing, so the eunuchs did business on the resale of goods. After passing the street along the canal, we get to Renshoudian. The official apartments of the poisoner Cixi were called the Palace of Philanthropy and Longevity. A little further is the Wenchang Tower. On her roof, wrote poems of the emperor Guangxu, grown up nephew of Cixi. It is impossible not to walk the longest in the world painted corridor Changlan. It goes along the shore and starts from the west wing of the palace. And from the east is the theater of Dheyuan ("Palace of Virtue and Harmony"). Here in the extension you can see the very first car in China, which was driven by Cixi herself.

Lake Kunming and its attractions

We continue to inspect the summer palace in Beijing. Park Ikeyuan with a beautiful lake Kunming occupy the lion's share of the complex. The artificial pond is rather small. In summer Kunming Lake is especially beautiful, as the water surface is covered with blooming lotuses. The main decoration of this natural man-made landmark are the bridges and the boat of Cixi. The last marble barque was installed under Emperor Qianlong in 1755. It was destroyed by Europeans in the middle of the XIX century, but Cixi ordered to restore the ship. To the intricate decor, innovations were added: a marble wheel simulating a steamship. On this ship, which is called "The Boat of Purity and Tranquility", Cixi liked to dine. Of the bridges do not miss the Jade. It was built in Qianlong from marble. Arched passage allowed to pass under the bridge of the royal "Dragon's boat". Another attraction - Shitsikuntsyao. This one hundred and fifty-meter bridge with 17 spans connects the shore with the island of Nanhu.

Pavilions

The summer palace of the emperor in Beijing was created not so much for living as for walks and unity with nature. And in case the august people get used to it, light tracery pavilions were at their service. Reviews of tourists assure that in their architectural beauties these arbors can compete with palaces. Particularly noteworthy is the pavilion "Universal Coverage of the Universe". It is located immediately after the descent from the arch bridge. From it opens a magnificent view with an overview of 360 degrees. If there is time, it is worthwhile to visit other pavilions: Lashoutan (Joy and Longevity), Yulantan (Orchid), Baoyungge (Precious Cloud), Lunvanmiao (King of the Dragons) and Han Xutan (Hall of Modesty).

Temples

The poetic names of the buildings indicate that the august people who inhabited the summer imperial palace (Beijing, China) were not alien to spirituality. Buddhist temples were erected on the mound of the hill on the orders of Qianlong. The visiting card of the whole complex is not the official rooms of Cixi, but the beautiful Fosiange tower. This name translates as "Temple of incense burns while respecting Buddhas." It is located at the very top of Longevity Hill (Wanshoushan). And on the southern slope of this man-made mountain, a temple with an intricate name was planted Yes Da Baoyne Yanshou Sy - Great Retribution for the grace of Longevity. Once Cixi celebrated her birthdays here. Its height is a thirty-meter pagoda of Yufenta ("Jade Peak"). Also, reviews are advised to visit the temples of Shining Virtue (Dehondian) and Sea of Reason and Wisdom (Zhihoyhai).

Summer Palace (Beijing): how to reach

Do not be deterred by the fact that this residence was suburban. Beijing has grown to such an extent that a city subway passes by the palace. To get to the museum complex, you can go to the metro station Beigongmen or Xiyan. The entrance to the territory is paid. A full adult ticket (both in the park and in the palaces) costs sixty yuan. Reviews of tourists are advised to come to the cash desks shortly before their opening, since the people (especially in the warm season) are always very much. The park and the residence are popular not only among tourists, but also among the inhabitants of Beijing. Therefore, it is better to choose a weekday for the excursion.

Reviews and tips from tourists

All travelers who have visited the capital of China are strongly advised to visit the summer imperial palace in Beijing. We already explained how to get there. In addition to the metro, numerous bus routes leave for the palace and park complex. And they can be approached to the other gates of the residence, and not only to the main ones. To get to the "Gates of the Eastern Palaces", one should leave the subway station Xiyan. The reviews warn: there is no cafe on the territory of the museum complex. So you need to stock up on drinking water (especially in summer heat) and lunch. On the shopping street leading to the palace, you can buy souvenirs, as well as buy ice cream and soft drinks.