Sept. 30 - Summer Palace

Once I awoke that morning, the second I looked outside and saw that the skies were relatively clear I immediately know where I'd be going that day - the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty Emperors. The sprawling park had existed as an imperial park for earlier dynasties, but according to my guide book (thanks for the birthday gift, Catherine) it gained its current layout during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, who ruled from 1736-1795. Mind you though, many of the buildings there aren't exactly 100% pure original structures from that era. The Empress Cixi had to rebuild it twice, once after it was burned by British and French soldiers in 1860, and again in 1902 after it was ravaged during the Boxer Rebellion.   

What you see here is the west causeway, which is basically an extremely long land bridge stretching all the way from the southeast corner close to the northwest corner of the park grounds across the lake, lined with trees and dotted with various ornate pavilions all the way. 

Uh.... I wish I could tell you what this building is. There's so many pavilions and temples and structures and whatnot, it's almost frustratingly difficult to keep track of them all. 

What you see pictured above and below is the "Marble Boat," which is actually a pavilion (look closer and see how the base is made out of rock). It was built by Empress Cixi with funds that were ironically meant for upgrading the imperial navy. 

This here is the base of Longevity Hill, the highest point in the Summer Palace, topped with the tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha. 

Er....again, unfortunately I can't tell you what this building specifically was. Well, some help I am. I can at least tell you that the throne pictured below was located there. 

The top of the hill provided me with quite a nice view of Kunming Lake down below, and the structure located just to our left.  

Here is the Temple of the Sea of Wisdom, located just behind the Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha, and home to quite some impressive statues. 

One of the palace's most famous attractions is the aptly-named Long Corridor, a Corridor that stretches along for 2,388 ft. and decorated with over 14,000 beautiful paintings. 

Unfortunately, the corridor became difficult to enjoy when half the visitors there decided that it was the perfect spot to have lunch. 

This here is the Bronze Ox, which is somehow supposed to help pacify flooding. On it's back, a poem attributed to Emperor Qianlong (I think) is ascribed. 

Here's one of the mythical creatures that adorns the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which connects the mainland to South Lake island, home to some temple whose name eludes me completely. 

As scenic as it all was, unfortunately by early afternoon, it felt like every square foot of the park was crammed to bursting with visitors, and so I finally took my leave and headed home for the day, feeling a bit weary, but satisfied....and not much later I grew much, much much wearier, because to get out here, one needs to ride all the way to the end of the #10 line on the subway.