Beijing – World Travel

Summer Palace Summer Palace

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Shaanxi China travel destination Summer Palace Summer Palace. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The Summer Palace, in the Haidian District, northwest of central Beijing, is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in modern China. It’s hardly surprising that, during the hot Beijing summers, the Imperial Family preferred the beautiful gardens and airy pavilions of the Summer Palace to the walled-in Forbidden City. Dowager Empress Cixi took up permanent residence here for a time, giving rise to some wonderful tales of extravagance and excess.
Although only a short drive (15 km) from central Beijing it seems like another world.
UNESCO has this to say of the Summer Palace: “…a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.”
Justification for Inscription
Criterion i: The Summer Palace in Beijing is an outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole.
Criterion ii: The Summer Palace epitomizes the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design, which played a key role in the development of this cultural form throughout the East.
Criterion iii: The imperial Chinese garden, illustrated by the Summer Palace, is a potent symbol of one of the major world civilizations.
The Chinese call it Yihe Yuan (Garden of Restful Peace), and the landscaped gardens, temples and pavilions were designed to achieve harmony with nature, to soothe and please the eye. The park spreads across the low hills, including Longevity Hill, around Kunming Lake, and was is divided into three main zones (administration, living, and relaxation). The wonderful buildings and courtyards wander beside the lake, along the waterways and climb the low slopes of the hillside. The arched bridges, pretty promenades, decorated ‘corridors’ and breezeways all lead visitors through ever-changing views and scenery. Here the marvelous marble boat, there an old theatre, over there an island reached by small wooden boat, and in the distance the hills, with a temple on the hillside, framed by dark trees. Small wonder that UNESCO added this 300 hectare site to the World Heritage List in 1998.
Many of the buildings have been meticulously restored, and maintenance and restoration activities are ongoing. The current projects are due for completion in 2010, which means that from time to time one building or another may be temporarily closed to the public.
Most people find they spend at least half a day here, there’s so much to see and enjoy in the gardens, buildings and waterways. It does involve plenty of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and protection from the weather (sun or rain) and be prepared to be enchanted. There are many pleasant spots along the way to pause and enjoy this much-loved summer retreat, as well as places selling cool drinks and snacks. You can take a 10 minute boat-ride to see an island temple, sit and watch a traditional Chinese performance in the restored theatre (one of the three great traditional theatres in China), or explore the recreated traditional shops by the river, (the story goes that former Emperors, or their concubines, used to enjoy ‘pretend-shopping’), enjoy the different buildings and courtyards, or just take in the views from one of the many vantage points.
The park falls naturally into several sections, each with its own distinct character. The palace buildings where Dowager Empress Cixi and Emperor Guangxu used to stay, and also to conduct the business of government, are in the Court area, near the East Palace Gate, and include a number of Halls, courtyards and displays. From here the paths run beside the lake (which takes up about 75% of the park), under shady trees or along the roofed breezeway known as the ‘Long Corridor’, with its magnificently painted ceilings. Bridges, island, boats, willows, lotus and attractive landscaping make this a pleasant place to soak up the atmosphere and take in the longer views.
Beside the lakeside paths the land rises to Longevity Hill, dotted with some superb Halls and temples and wonderfully decorated Gates. The energetic can climb the hill to the Buddhist Temple overlooking the entire area. The waterside path continues across bridges, past boathouses and the amazing Marble Boat, to an area of tranquil gardens, hillocks and winding paths. In this area the ‘Suzhou Market Street’ also recreates traditional riverside shops, many of which can only be reached by boat. The Summer Palace is one of the lovelier spots in Beijing. Not all the buildings are open to the public, but many are, and the others continue to enhance the park with their design and decoration, nestled into the landscape.
A Chequered History
The gardens have twice been ransacked and restored. They were first developed by the Jin Emperors during the early 12th century. A hundred years later Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) further enlarged the lake, adding more canals to bring water from the western hills to improve Beijing’s water supply.
Over the following centuries dynasties rose and fell while successive Emperors continued to improve the Qingyi (Clear Ripples) Garden.
In 1750, one of the great Emperors of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Qianlong, summoned the best designers and landscapers in China to create what was to become one of the most beautiful estates in China. Around 100,000 workers reproduced the styles of different gardens and palaces from throughout the Empire. The lake, enlarged once more, was modelled on Hanzhou’s West Lake, with islands, temples and the magnificent 17-arch bridge. Qianlong also remodelled the Temple of Gratitude and Longevity in honour of his mother’s birthday, and the ‘three hills and five gardens’ became legendary throughout the country, famed for beautifully named gardens: Clear Ripples, Everlasting Spring, Perfection and Brightness, Tranquillity and Brightness, Tranquillity and Pleasure, along with Longevity Hill, Jade Spring Mountain, and Fragrant Hill.
Another hundred years or so and in 1860, during the Opium Wars, the Anglo-French forces ransacked the place, burning many of the buildings, destroying the gardens and plundering its treasures. However, some 20 years later the notorious arch-survivor, Dowager Empress Cixi, spent a colossal amount of money on restoration and reconstruction of the ‘new’ Summer Palace, using funds diverted from the Imperial Navy, courtesy of her brother-in-law once he was put in charge of the navy. Ironically, in another time Emperor Qianlong used to enjoy watching naval exercises on the lake, so he’s unlikely to have approved of either the embezzlement nor the fabulous marble (a nod to the funds’ source?). Unfortunately the Chinese navy suffered as a result in their engagements with the Japanese fleets during the Sino-Japanese war.
Cixi’s time in residence only added to the extravagant tales about her – there’s the courtyard where she walled up most of the exits to ensure that the reigning Emperor did not interfere with her iron grip on the government of the day; the banqueting halls where she required well over a hundred dishes to be prepared for any meal, just in case she wanted one of them, her beloved theatre, displays and reminders of the way most of her opponents died sudden and sometimes mysterious deaths. She is believed to have accumulated an incredible fortune in gold, antiques and jewels. Other historians claim that she was an astute politician in an impossible position, providing conservative rule during challenging times, but she was certainly a strong and remarkable woman who inspired many stories, histories, novels and films.
By the end of the 1800s tensions between the Chinese and foreigners exploded in the Boxer Rebellion; foreigners were under attach, and Beijing’s foreign treaty areas were besieged. Eight nations joined to defeat the Boxers, and because Cixi had supported them the Summer Palace was ransacked yet again, in 1900. The Imperial Family returned three years later, after signing a humiliating treaty, the Summer Palace and gardens were once more on the path to restoration.
The gardens were open to the public in 1911, with the birth of the Republic, although the last Emperor, Puyi, retained the use of private apartments City until 1924both here and in the Forbidden City, until he was expelled from the Imperial Palaces and took up residence in Tianjin. At this time the entire complex was declared a public park
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Beijing Ocean Park Beijing Ocean Park

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Beijing China travel destination Beijing Ocean Park Beijing Ocean Park. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The Beijing Ocean Park resembles a gigantic trumpet shell that crawls at the deep ocean bottom. The main structures are painted ocean blue and bright orange so that the visitors feel as if they are exploring a sunny tropical island at sea. Six halls make up the park: the Hall of Tropical Rain Forest, the Touching Pool, the Navigation at the Bottom of the Ocean, the Hall of Sharks, the Bay of Whale and Dolphin and the Ocean Theater etc.

Upon entering this marvelous world, you will be mesmerized as the exciting mystery of the underwater world unfolds in front of you. The various halls in the park put you in close contact with all the major ocean species. Ocean animals shows may arouse your ocean awareness and love, therefore the ocean park also meet environmental and educational goals.

The Beijing Ocean Park offers non-obstacle passage for its handicapped visitors. Wheelchair, sign language translation, and Braille explanation among others help to present an equal charming ocean world to those disabled.
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Jiankou Great Wall Jiankou Great Wall

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Gansu China travel destination Jiankou Great Wall Jiankou Great Wall. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The Jiankou Great Wall is located in Huairou County, 73 kilometres north from BeijingCity. It connects with Mutianyu Great Wall ten kilometres to the east, and with Huanghuacheng Great Wall to the west. This section was built in 1368 during the period of the Ming Dynasty.
The Jiankou Great Wall is constructed of large white hill rocks which makes it very noticeable from a distance. The major section of this Great Wall is built along a mountain ridge with large cliffs on each side, and due to the lack of repairs, it is now one of the most dangerous sections of the entire Great Wall.
There are several scenic sites that tourists must see, one of which is the enemy observation tower known as “The Eagle Flies Facing Upward”. This observation tower appears extremely high as it was built on a mountain which forms the highest section of the Jiankou Great Wall. Therefore, when an eagle flies there, it can only do so facing upwards before reaching the top of the tower.
The “Sky Stairs” is another famous scenic spot. At this location of the Wall the stairs go practically straight up, and they are so narrow that it is barely possible to obtain a foothold.
Other scenic areas include the Beijing Knot (the meeting point for three different converging sections of the Great Wall); the Nine-Eye Tower (a watchtower with 9 holes like eyes); the Zhengbei Tower (a good place to watch the sunrise and the sunset) and, the Cloud Stairs (a section of the Jiankou Great Wall which rises like a staircase into the white clouds), and many other enemy observation towers.
Tourists standing on the top of the Jiankou Great Wall will always experience different scenes in all directions regardless of the hour or the seasons or the weather.
There are no admission costs or tickets required to climb the Jiankou Great Wall nor to visit the Mutianyu Scenic Spot.
Tourists can also visit Wofo Mountain Resort, where there is an Ancient Dragon Pool which is formed by springs at the foot of the mountain, and which contains the biggest breeding place for the famous rainbow mountain trout in the North of China. This rainbow trout when eaten fresh is delicious and even the fish bones can be used to make a soup.
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Sanlitun Bar Street Sanlitun Bar Street

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guangdong China travel destination Sanlitun Bar Street Sanlitun Bar Street. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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When night falls, bars of various styles are open. Some are romantic and classical. Some are quite modern and exotic. You may go there at night. Bars there usually close in the morning of the next day. Besides Sanlitun, areas around Kunlun Hotel, Dongzhimen and other districts of Beijing have an amazingly array of bars, some of which are quite famous. The prosperity of bars, some of which are quite famous.The prosperity of bar culture in Beijing is related to the special position of Beijing in China. In the bars, for two persons, a little wine and some sweetmeat cost only tens of yuanRMB.
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Zhoukoudian Peking Man Historical Site Museum Zhoukoudian Peking Man Historical Site Museum

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guizhou China travel destination Zhoukoudian Peking Man Historical Site Museum Zhoukoudian Peking Man Historical Site Museum. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The Peking Ape Men Ruins unearthed in Longgu or Dragon Bone Mountain in Zhoukoudian, Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing is among the most important historical discoveries in the world. Fingdings in the site include the bone fossil,stone tools, and marksof using fire by these ancient ancestors. These discoveries are solid proofs of the existence of Peking Man, a milestone in the history of the study of anthropology.
In 1929, a famous Chinese paleontologist- professor Pei Wenzhong discovered a complete ape-man skull and many bone remains like teeth and mandibles here. These valuable discoveries show that over half a million years ago the area around today’s Beijing had become an Eden of human being. The continuous excavations and researches of the paleontologists for the following decades confirm that the Zhoukoudian Ruins is so far a location that boasts the most comprehensive and numerous fossils for paleontology research in the world. The relevant studies at the site also occupy a key place in the international academic arena.
Now Zhoukoudian Ruins Site was under special protection by the Chinese central government and obtained its nomination by the UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1987. During the past half century, ceaseless excavation leads to the discovery of six relatively complete fossil skull. Unfortunately, five of them were lost during the Second World War and the efforts to relocate them are made until now. For better preservation of the ruins, the central government built the Zhoukoudian Ruins Museum at the foot of the Longgu Mountain in 1953. The museum is composed of four exhibition halls, for displaying the model of the Peking Ape Men Skull, the evidence of using fire by these prehistoric people, stone tools and the models of the caves where they lived hundreds of thousands of years ago respectively. As added to the exhibits are the primitive arts forms like drawing and sculptures by prehistoric people of different ages. The museum intends to offer a systematic and complete introduction to the evolvement of human being.

Up to now, the new discoveries are still made in this site, the protection and excavation work at the site will go on for a long time.

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Tanzhe Temple Tanzhe Temple

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Beijing China travel destination Tanzhe Temple Tanzhe Temple. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Tanzhe Temple is the oldest temple in Beijing, whose history can date back to the Jin Dynasty, over 1,700 years ago. It is widely believed among the locals that the TanzheTemple was constructed earlier than the city of Beijing. Behind the temple there is a deep pond called the Dragon Pond and in front of the temple there grow some Zhe trees, therefore the temple is called the Tan (“tan” means a deep pond) Zhe Temple.
Backing a hill, the temple is divided into three parts. The central part is filled with splendid structures like archways, mountain gates, altars and Buddhist Halls. Bilu Cabinet is the highest architecture in the central temple, in front of which are many rare bushes like the plum calyx canthus and yulan.. A 200-year old purple yulan growing in the temple is noted as the largest in north China. When the Yulan blossoms early in spring, numerous people flock here to view the pretty and fragrant flowers. Among the bushes, two high ginkgo trees were entitled by Emperor Qianlong the “Tree of Monarch” and the “Tree of Princess”. The eastern part of the temple contains a dozens of courtyards where the abbot room is included and the rooms where the emperor used to stay are preserved. The western part is noted for its solemn and imposing architectures where the Youjie Altar and the Hall of Kwan-yin are erected.
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Beijing Wax Museum Beijing Wax Museum

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Beijing China travel destination Beijing Wax Museum Beijing Wax Museum. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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China’s biggest wax museum displays 126 life-like wax figures including Yang Liwei, China’s first man in space, Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan and NBA giant Yao Ming. The wax works on display fall into seven categories, covering famous people in such fields as politics, education, science, arts and sports. The museum opened in September, 2004 and it covers an area of more than 3000 square meters. The Wax Museum offers a chance to see all of your favorite Chinese historical, political and cultural figures carefully prepared from large slabs of wax.
The museum is part of China’s National Museum.
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Jietai Temple Jietai Temple

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guangdong China travel destination Jietai Temple Jietai Temple. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Jietai Temple is located 35km (22 miles) west of Beijing and only 8km (5 miles) from Tanzhe Temple. Jietaisi, or temple of the ordination altar, takes its name from its famous Ming marble ordination altar. Built some 1,300 years ago, this altar is nearly 5 meters (16ft) high and is decorated with delicate and exquisite carvings. The temple was first built in 622 AD during the Tang dynasty but most of the buildings in this temple date from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911AD). Surrounding the main hall are a number of courtyards containing rock formations and old pine and cypress trees. The temple is renowned for its ancient trees. It is said that the Chinese scholar tree known as the protector of Buddhism grow in the temple ground, is more than 1,000 years old. Other famous trees include “nine dragon tree” which has 9 branches that reach up to the sky like 9 flying dragons and the “mobile tree” which trembles even when only one branch is slightly touched.
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Shicha Lake (The Three Rear Lake) Shicha Lake (The Three Rear Lake)

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guizhou China travel destination Shicha Lake (The Three Rear Lake) Shicha Lake (The Three Rear Lake). View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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General Introduction
Shicha Lake, located in the southwest of the Drum Tower, has a history of about 700 years from Yuan Dynasty. The lake got its present name in Ming Dynasty. “Shicha” refers to ten temples, which at one time stood on the banks of the lake. It is part of old Beijing where the Hutong alleyways and the courtyard houses are well preserved. No matter how small, each family here has a little courtyard of its own or sharing with their neighbors. Shicha Lake Scenic Zone stretches from the Second Ring Road in the north to Ping’an Avenue in the south and from Di’anmenwai Street in the east to Xinjiekou Street in the west, covering a total area of 146.7 hectares. Shicha Lake Scenic Zone consists of Xihai (West Lake), Houhai (Back or Rear Lake) and Qianhai (Front Lake). There are many historical sites here such as the Former Resident of Soong Ching Ling (1893-1978) who is the wife of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the honorary president of People’s Republic of China; Guo Moruo Museum and Guanghua Temple. Especially, the Houhai Lake Bar Area in this zone is really popular.
Houhai Lake Bar Area
Houhai Lake Bar Area, located north to the Qianhai Lake and connected to the Beihai Park, is one of the most famous nightlife spots in Beijing. Lots of open air jazz music bars and restaurants lie along the shore of the manmade lake. And the bars at the northern end of the lake have sofas put out right by the water. It is really nice to sit down in a sofa by the lake and enjoy an iced tea or cocktail. Visitors also can rent a boat to paddle on the lake. As it is open water in the city center, visitors on a boat can appreciate Beijing city from a different angle. Interestingly, most places of it are very quiet, therefore Houhai Lake Bar Area is really a good place for strolling, drinking and talking with friends, or just listen to the pop songs in sofa.
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Taoranting Park Taoranting Park

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Beijing China travel destination Taoranting Park Taoranting Park. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Taoranting Park (Joyous Pavilion) is located northwest to the Taoran Bridge, South 2nd Ring Road in Beijing city taking a total area of 56.56hectares with the water covering 19hectares. The famous Taoranting (Joyous Pavilion) and Cibei’an (Temple of Mercy) lie here. Its beautiful scenery and rich history win it nation-wide reputation.
The Cibei’an (Temple of Mercy) is the main ancient building complex in the Taoranting Park. The Temple of Mercy was built in Yuan Dynasty with a history of more than 700 years. Having its Temple Gate facing east, it has a connective arrangement, mainly consisting of the Hall of Avalokitesvara Buddha, the Zhunti Hall, the Wenchang Pavilion and Taoranting (Joyous Pavilion) with a total area of 2700 square meters. Due to its fascinating scenery, it had become the officers and intellectual celebrities’ favorite place for getting together since Qing Dynasty and leaving a lot of poems. In modern times, especially after the May 4th Movement, it gradually became the venue for revolution. A lot of famous revolutionists had revolutionary activities here, such Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Li Daozhao, which made it into an important revolutionary site in Beijing. After the renovation, it developed into a park in 1952 and was renovated again in 1978.
The 3-room-wide pavilion west of this old temple is the famous Tanraoting (joyous Pavilion). In the year 34 in the Reign of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (1695), Jiangzhao, secretary of the Board of Works of the Qing court, built this pavilion and named it Taoranting (Joyous Pavilion), after a poem by Bai Juyi, a renowned poet in Tang Dynasty: When chrysanthemums are in bloom and our home brew is ready, let’s enjoy them together joyously. It is one of the Four Most Famous Pavilions in China with an area of 90 square meters. There are many colored drawing and inscriptions as well as a plenty of poems carved on its walls, three plaques and poles. The Taoranting (Joyous Pavilion), with its three sides facing the lake which is fully planted with lotuses, is really a place where visitors can enjoy the scenery and the history joyously.
There are many historical relics besides the Cibei’an (Temple of Mercy) and Taoranting (Joyous Pavilion) in the Taoranting Park, such as Longshu Temple, the Dragon King Pavilion, Dark Dragon Pool, and so on. Twenty pavilions were erected from 1989 to 1993 and now the park is home to 36 pavilions, including miniature models of famous structure from other parks in China.
Besides, luxuriant green trees and various kinds of flowers are planted in the park, especially the Flower Street on the two sides of the South Lake where 30000 flowers and 2500 square meters lawn are planted. When all the flowers are in full blooming, the scenery is really fascinating.
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