Yi He Yuan, or the Summer Palace, is the best-kept and largest existing royal garden in Beijing. It is called "The Summer Palace". Just as its name indicates the royal family spent their summers here. The Summer Palace was first built in 1750, named the Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by the allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi had the resort restored on a larger scale with national navy fund and finished in 1898. Thereafter, the Summer Palace got its current name Yiheyuan(Garden of Good Health and Harmony, literarily means summer palace). Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi of Qing Dynasty came here to enjoy the summer every year. In 1900, the Summer Palace suffered again but more seriously than last time, being ransacked by the Eight-Power Allied Force. After the success of the 1911 Revolution-feudalist Chinese history drawn a full stop, the Summer Palace opened to the public in 1924.
With a concentration of the best of ancient buildings as well as styles of gardening, the Summer Palace is a virtual museum of traditional Chinese gardening design in the world, integrating the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges into a harmonious and aesthetically exceptional whole. In 1998, it was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The Summer Palace consist mainly Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake occupying an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), 75% of which is water. Guided by nature, artists designed the gardens exquisitely so that visitors would see marvelous views and be amazed by perfect examples of refined craftwork using the finest materials.
Centered with the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge), the Summer Palace consist of over 3,000 structures including pavilions, towers, bridges, and corridors. The Summer Palace can be divided into three parts: the court area, residential area, and entertainment area.
Court Area: this is where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu met officials, and conducted state affairs. Entering the East Palace Gate, visitors may see the main palace building: the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity with a large courtyard served as the office of the Emperor. The side houses outside the courtyard were the temporary rest place for officials and guards on duty.
Residential area: westward of the court area, there are the buildings for residence. The Hall of Jade Ripples where emperor Guangxu lived, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, Cixi's residence etc. every courtyard could refresh your eyeshot just with a turn.
Entertainment area: this is the main part of the Summer Palace, consisting of Front-Hill Area, Rear-Hill and Back-Lake Area and Front Lake Area.
Front-Hill Area: this area is the most magnificent area in the Summer Palace with the most constructions. Its layout is quite distinctive because of the central axis from the yard of Kunming Lake to the hilltop, on which important buildings are positioned including Gate of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom, etc.
Rear-Hill and Back-Lake Area: although the constructions are fewer here, it has a unique landscape, with dense green trees, and winding paths. Visitors can feel a rare tranquility, and elegance. This area includes scenic spots such as Garden of Harmonious Interest and Suzhou Market Street.
Front Lake Area: covering a larger part of the Summer Palace, opens up the vista of the lake. A breeze fluttering, waves gleam and willows kiss the ripples of the vast water. In this comfortable area there are the Eastern and Western Banks, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Nanhu Island, and so on. On the western bank float six distinct bridges amongst which the Jade-Belt Bridge is the most beautiful.
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