Region: 北京Beijing

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  The Long Corridro arching up a building.

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  The endless Long Corridro.

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  The frozen Kunming Lake at winter.

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  This great stone bridge was built in the fourteenth year of 乾隆Qianlong's reign(1750). It measures 150 meters in length and its height is determined by 17 arches rising incrementally from both ends;where the nineth is the highest,symbolizing the emperor. Lined on both sides of the bridge's stone balustrades are 544 stone lions,each are different.

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  The largest pavillion in the garden

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  This large stone bridge was built in the fourteenth year of 乾隆Qianlong's reign(1750). It measures 150 meters in length and its height is determined by 17 arches rising incrementally from both ends;where the nineth is the highest,symbolizing the emperor. Lined on both sides of the bridge's stone balustrades are 544 stone lions,each are different.

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  The stone lions atop this great bridge.

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  The Bronze Bull is also called the "金牛Gold Bull" because it was coated with gold. But don't rush here to scrape some because the British and French troops in 1860 and the Allied troops in 1900 had already skinned it bare. The resting bull was casted in 1755.

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  A seated laughing Buddha.

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  Two interlocking Buddhist figures.

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  The very large pavillion with a high stone base,which makes it more like a tower. It has a grand view of the lake.

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  A pavillion on a islet.

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  Tourist boats on the Kunming Lake with 万寿山Longevity Hill in the background

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  A pavillion on an islet with a grand view of the Kunming Lake

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  View of Kunming Lake with Lovgevity Hill in the background

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  View of the Kunming Lake and the 17-arch Bridge

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  A section of the GArden at sundown

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  Beijing's western hills and the Kunming Lake had been a favorite summer resort since the 金代Jin Dnasty(12th century). In the Qing Dynasty, the emperor 乾隆Qianlong(1736-95) made large scale construction and expansion to what is then the GArden of Pure Ripples. But in 1860, the French and British allies destroyed much of it. The garden was rebuilt later by Prince Chun, who used the money allocated for building an effective navy against the occupation forces,with the intention to allied himself to the then all-powerfull and notorious Empress Dowager 慈禧Cixi. After completion, the garden was renamed Yiheyuan(means to nurture and harmonize),which the western allies called "The Summer Palace". The ill-fated garden did not last long, for in 1900 it was destroyed again by the Eight Allied Armies. Again, money for the military went to the rebuilding of the garden, which was finished two years later in 1903. Among the many pieces resulted from funds allocated to build a strong navy, this useless boat sums it up. It was finished in 1755; the piece is 36 meters in length and built entirely of marble, with stained glass covering its arched windows,Persian style.

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  A view of the Kunming Lake with the Marble Boat in the foreground

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  One of the many paths of the garden complex

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  The Long Corridor along the Kunming Lake

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  A tree lit by the golden sun-setting light.

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  One of the six large stone bridges that span the Kunming Lake

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  The stone steps of an arched stone bridge

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  Entrance with a Unicorn

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  A group of soldiers and tourists admiring the huge rock sculpture before the Renshoudian Temple.

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  Walking on the sidewalk between the Kunming Lake and The Long Corridor.

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  A section of the walkway on the northern part of the Kumming Lake

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  small view of the very large,2 square kilometers Kunming Lake

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  Sublime view of the Kunming Lake with dried lotuses in the foreground

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  A view of the Kunming Lake at noon

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  One of the many rock sculptures along the Long Corridor

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  An decorated entrance gate to the garden

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  Entrance wall with carving of dragon

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  The Renshoudian Temple was built during Emperor 乾隆Qianlong's reign(1736-95) and was named 勤政殿Qinzhengdian Temple. It was renamed later to 仁寿殿Renshoudian Temple after major renovations in 1890,so named in hope that the Empress Dowager 慈禧Cixi may live a long life. The Dowager and the emperor often held court here.

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  A distinctive Chinese archectural element;the rib of a rooftop.

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  This rock is transported here in pieces

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  Family members taking a picture of a little girl posing with a lsrge rock sculpure

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  An evening view of the Kumming Lake

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  A pavillion atop one of the stone arch bridges along the Western and Eastern Dykes surrounding most of the Kunming Lake

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  A night scene with one of the several islands in the on the lake.

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  One of the shaped windows on a wall made available to admire a framed view of totally different landscape.

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  Section of the Garden with part of a wall. Walls are a key element of a garden. A well-designed and well-placed wall provides the guests not only a soothing visual massage, but also invites them to participate in the creative process of garden design. By going through the mazes, one "draws" the garden.

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  One of the smaller stone arch bridges within the garden

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  The large pavillon before The Long Corridor

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  Tourists moving westward

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  A view by the side of a stone bridge

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  The path leading to the Western Dyke

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  A tower with an arched opening

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  This is Suzhou Street,so called because it modelled after the canal and street combination of the fabled Suzhou City. The canal snakes along the northern circumference of the garden. Along both sides of the canal are Qing-styled,two-storied buildings used as gift shops and teahouses. Within are large variety of crafts and fashion items with vendors dressed in Qing-styled clothing idling or strolling along the banks outside.

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  This is Suzhou Street,so called because it modelled after the canal and street combination of the fabled Suzhou City. The canal snakes along the northern circumference of the garden. Along both sides of the canal are Qing-styled,two-storied buildings used as gift shops and teahouses. Within are large variety of crafts and fashion items with vendors dressed in Qing-styled clothing idling or strolling along the banks outside.

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  The ceremonial arch before the Eastern Gate of The Summer Palace