After lunch we were taken by motorcoach to the Yíhéyuán/Summer Palace, said to be the best-preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind in China. Initially built 1750-1764, the gardens were burned and the palace was sacked in 1860 during the Second Opium War. The gardens were rebuilt by the Empress Dowager Cixi 1886-1888, using funds meant for the Imperial Navy, which resulted in China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. The Summer Palace was again damaged during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The palace was restored in 1902 and opened to the public in 1914 after the end of the Qing dynasty.
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| Renshou Dian/Hall of Benevolence and Longevity was where the court administered governmental affairs, received foreign envoys and other dignitaries (KSS) |
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| Statue of a qilin/a legendary animal having a dragon's head, lion's tail, deer's antlers, ox's hooves with a body covered in fish scales |
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| A statue of a dragon said to represent the Emperor Guangxu, holding out an empty hand as he had no power under his mother, the Empress Dowager |
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| A statue of a phoenix, said to represent the Empress Dowager Cixi, is placed centrally, contrary to tradition |
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| Hall of Benevolence and Longevity detail of woodwork, plus the ever-present CCTV camera |
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| The corner of a palace building roof may hold 3, 5, 7, or 9 small animal statues, depending on the rank of the building, and here from the tip they should be in order of dragon, phoenix, lion, seahorse, and heavenly steed; they are meant to dispel evil spirits |
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| Wisteria arbor and octagonal doorway as a symbol of completeness and good luck (KSS) |
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| Leshoutang/Hall of Joy and Longevity was the residence of the Empress Dowager Cixi |
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| In front of the Hall of Joy and Longevity are a bronze statues of a deer and crane, and a vase to symbolize peace |
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| The Blue Mushroom stone was originally called the Unlucky or Bankruptcy stone; the story follows: |
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| Using double mobile phones to film a commercial? (KSS) |
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| Yiyunguan/Yiyun Hall was the living quarters of the wife of Emperor Guangxu, who lived in Yulantang/Hall of Jade Ripples next door, but from 1898 was under house arrest by his mother after she had his associates beheaded for trying to establish reforms of the feudal system |
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| The closer building may be part of the Hall of Jade Ripples |
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| Apparently a favorite activity during the National Day holiday week is to be photographed in traditional dress |
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| The poser |
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| Kunming Hu/Kunming Lake takes up 75% of the garden |
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| Changlang/Long Corridor is a 728-m/ nearly a half-mile covered walkway |
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| The entire length inside the corridor is covered with Su-style paintings (classical painted art on wooden structures) in various stages of wear and renewal |
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| Lotus pond |
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| Foxiangge/Tower of Buddha Incense is a Buddhist temple |
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| An intersection in the Long Corridor |
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| Yunhui Yuyu/Arch of Meeting Clouds (KSS) |
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| Paiyundian/Hall of Dispelling Clouds with the Tower of Buddha Incense above the roof |
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| Marble Boat was rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi in "Western" style, perhaps in justification of using funds meant for the Imperial Navy |
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| A shady allée |
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| Returning along the Long Corridor |
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| Shiqikong Qiao/Seventeen Arch Bridge |
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| This metal arch is somehow electrified and when the light is turned on, the palace occupants would know the Empress Dowager Cixi was out?? |
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| View of Longevity Hill with the Tower of Buddha Incense, and above it is Zhihuihai/Hall of the Sea of Wisdom |
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| View of the mystery electric arch |
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| Dongdi/East Causeway bridge leads to Wenchangge/Tower of Literary Prosperity |
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| Dinner place setting |
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| All the dishes are placed on a lazy-susan/turntable |
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