Travelers who visit the Chinese capital for tourism purposes are strongly advised by guidebooks to visit two palaces. The first is the official place for the Emperor of the Celestial Empire to receive ambassadors of other powers and applicants for an audience. The Purple Palace of the Forbidden City is a solid officialdom. Its powerful walls and Tiananmen Square are much larger than the Moscow Kremlin. To take a break from political affairs and indulge in the contemplation of the harmony of nature, a summer palace was built. Beijing, with its smog, hum and bustle, remained twenty kilometers to the south. Around only heavenly bucolics. And it's hard to believe that all the landscapes, including the incomparable lake, are man-made. It would be wrong to say that the summer residence of the Chinese emperor is an analogue of Peterhof or Versailles. It is strikingly different from European palace and park complexes. How? You will learn about this from our article.
History of the residence
The Summer Palace (Beijing) dates back to the time of the Qin Dynasty. Until that time, there were royal gardens and a small estate. In the middle of the eighteenth century, the Qianlong Emperor ordered the creation of a luxurious residence for relaxation in the northwest of the capital. Construction began in 1750. First of all, they began to create the Kunming Lake. Now it occupies three fourths of the park area. Dianchi Lake served as a prototype for an artificial reservoir. All work was carried out in great haste. The construction was supposed to be completed by the sixtieth birthday of the emperor's mother. Nevertheless, everything was done in good faith. The earth that was raised to create Kunming Lake was rammed into Longevity Hill. Buddhist temples were erected on its top. Unlike European palace and park complexes, the summer residence of the Chinese emperor does not take up much space. Basically, this is a harmonious nature, which the royal family came to admire.
Summer Palace (Beijing) and Empress Cixi
In 1860, British and French troops invaded China. Like wild barbarians, they plundered the country residence of the emperors of the Celestial Empire. For some time the palace stood in terrible desolation. Since 1888, through intrigues and poisoning of candidates for the throne, the regent of the two-year-old Emperor Cixi came to power. Women have played a small role in Chinese history. But Cixi was a bright personality. She spent all the money raised for the establishment of the Chinese fleet forrestoration from the ashes of a country residence. The park, which was previously called Yuanmingyuan (Gardens of Perfect Clarity), was renamed Yiheyuan - Place of Peaceful Old Age and Rest. But in 1900, the European invaders again plundered the wonderful residence. The look that we see today, the palace and park complex acquired only in the first half of the twentieth century.
What the residence looks like
It is conventionally divided into two parts:
- summer imperial palace;
- Yiheyuan Park.
In Beijing, you will find few places where historical and cultural attractions are harmoniously combined with the beauty of nature. The park covers a large area - about three hundred hectares. Three quarters of it is the beautiful Kunming Lake. From the north, it is protected from cold winds by the Hill of Longevity - Wanshoushan. All significant buildings are concentrated in the northern part of the park. There is also the entrance to the summer residence of Chinese emperors. In total, there are about three thousand buildings in it. The entire palace and park complex is included in the UNESCO List. And some buildings have taken their rightful place on the pages of the Guinness Book. It is "the world's longest painted corridor". It stretches along the coast for seven hundred and twenty-eight meters.
Turning into a museum
After the death of Empress Regent Cixi, the Summer Palace (Beijing) was abandoned. And when the Chinese monarchy was overthrown, he completely fell into disrepair. But the Kunming Lakes andThe Hou played a significant role in Beijing's water supply. They needed to be kept clean. The park was opened to the public in 1914. They charged an entrance fee, and with the accumulated funds they began to restore palaces and pavilions. As a museum, the complex began to function since 1949. Now the Yiheyuan Park and the former summer residence of the emperors are visited by about five million people every year. They still charge for entry. The ticket costs sixty yuan for an adult. This museum is one of the top ten most famous attractions in Beijing. It is worth coming here for the whole day. But, due to the large area, it is unlikely that it will be possible to examine everything at once. After all, there are three thousand of the most diverse buildings. We will list only the most significant ones that tourists cannot miss.
Eastern palaces
The main (now the only) entrance to the residence is called Donggunmen. In translation, it means "Gate of the Eastern Palaces." The entrance is guarded by statues of magical animals, designed to provide the inhabitants of the residence with longevity and well-being. After passing through the gate, we get to the Suzhou shopping street. Numerous servants were not allowed to leave the summer imperial palace in Beijing, so the eunuchs did business in the resale of goods. After passing the street along the canal, we get to Zhenshoudian. The official apartments of the poisoner Cixi were called the "Palace of Humanity and Longevity." A little further is the Wenchang Tower. Emperor Guangxu, Cixi's grown-up nephew, wrote poetry on its roof. You can't walkthe world's longest painted Changlan corridor. It goes along the coast and starts from the western wing of the palace. And from the east is the Deheyuan Theater (“Palace of Virtue and Harmony”). Here in the annex you can see the very first car in China, which Cixi herself drove around.
Kunming Lake and its attractions
Continue visiting the Summer Palace in Beijing. Yiheyuan Park with the beautiful Kunming Lake occupy the lion's share of the complex. The artificial pond is quite 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 attraction are the bridges and the boat of Cixi. The last marble barge was installed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in 1755. It was destroyed by Europeans in the middle of the 19th century, but Cixi ordered the ship to be restored. Innovations were added to the intricate decor: a marble wheel imitating a steamboat wheel. On this ship, which is called the Boat of Purity and Tranquility, Cixi liked to dine. Of the bridges, don't miss Jade. It was built under Qianlong from marble. The arched span allowed the royal Dragon Boat to pass under the bridge. Another attraction is Shiqikongqiao. This 150-meter bridge with 17 spans connects the coast to Nanhu Island.
Pavilions
The Emperor's Summer Palace in Beijing was created not so much for living as for walking and uniting with nature. And in case the most august persons get tired, to theirservices were light openwork pavilions. Reviews of tourists assure that these pavilions can compete with palaces in terms of their architectural beauty. The pavilion "Universal coverage of the Universe" is especially noteworthy. It is located immediately after the descent from the arch bridge. It offers a magnificent view with a 360 degree view. If you have time, other pavilions are worth visiting: Leshoutang (Joy and Longevity), Yulantang (Orchids), Baoyungge (Precious Cloud), Longwangmiao (Dragon King) and Hanxutan (Hall of Modesty).
Temples
The poetic names of the buildings indicate that the august persons who inhabited the summer imperial palace (Beijing, China) were not alien to spirituality. On the bulk hill, by order of Qianlong, Buddhist temples were erected. The hallmark of the entire complex is by no means the official chambers of Cixi, but the beautiful tower of Foxiangge. This name translates as "Temple of burning incense while honoring the Buddhas." It is located at the very top of Longevity Hill (Wanshoushan). And on the southern slope of this man-made mountain perched a temple with the intricate name Da Baoen Yanshou Si - the Great Retribution for the grace of Longevity. Cixi used to celebrate her birthdays here. The thirty-meter pagoda of Yufent ("Jade Peak") stands out with its height. Also, reviews advise visiting the temples of the Radiance of Virtue (Dehondian) and the Sea of Reason and Wisdom (Zhihoihai).
Summer Palace (Beijing): how to get there
Don't be put off by the fact that this residence was a suburban one. Beijing has already grown toto such an extent that the city subway passes by the palace. To get to the museum complex, you can get off at Beigongmen or Xiyan subway station. Entrance to the territory is paid. A full adult ticket (both to the park and to the palaces) costs sixty yuan. Reviews of tourists are advised to come to the box office shortly before they open, since there are always a lot of people (especially in the warm season). The park and the residence are popular not only among tourists, but also among the residents of Beijing. Therefore, it is better to choose a weekday for the tour.
Reviews and travel tips
All travelers who have visited the capital of China are highly recommended to visit the summer imperial palace in Beijing. How to get there - we have already explained. In addition to the metro, numerous bus routes go to the palace and park complex. Moreover, they can drive up to other gates of the residence, and not just to the main ones. To get to the "Gate of the Eastern Palaces", you should exit the subway at Xiyan Station. Reviews warn: there is no cafe on the territory of the museum complex. So it is necessary to stock up on drinking water (especially in the 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.
