Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, this world-famous large imperial garden, is like a brilliant pearl inlaid in the western suburbs of Beijing. It is not only a garden but also a comprehensive masterpiece of ancient Chinese garden art. It is hailed as the foremost among Chinese classical gardens and was listed in the "World Heritage List" on December 2, 1998, attracting worldwide attention and being cherished by people all over the world.
- The Beauty of the Integration of Garden Components and Natural Background
The Summer Palace mainly consists of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Longevity Hill stands majestically, with its undulating mountain body resembling a natural barrier, adding a majestic aura to the entire garden. The trees on the hill are lush and verdant, presenting different sceneries in the four seasons, which contrast beautifully with the buildings in the garden. Kunming Lake is a vast expanse of water, with its sparkling surface like a huge mirror, reflecting the sky, mountains, and surrounding buildings. The lake water ripples gently, and boats shuttle back and forth, giving people a sense of leisurely comfort. The whole garden takes the peaks of the Western Hills as its background. These distant peaks loom indistinctly in the mist, looking like a natural ink-wash painting. The building complex in the Summer Palace is skillfully integrated with the situation of the mountains and the lake. Pavilions, terraces, towers, chambers, corridors, and waterside pavilions are scattered in an orderly manner among the mountains and waters. Whether it is the Tower of Buddhist Incense built on the hillside or the Marble Boat by the lakeside, they are all perfectly integrated with the surrounding natural environment, making the scenery ever-changing. Viewed from different angles or in different seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the Summer Palace presents different appearances, sometimes being as graceful as the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River, and sometimes as magnificent as the northern imperial style. - Functional Zoning and Historical and Cultural Connotations
The whole garden is divided into three areas, each carrying different functions and historical significance. Firstly, there is the political activity area centered around the Hall of Benevolent Longevity. This was an important place where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled court affairs in the late Qing Dynasty. The Hall of Benevolent Longevity is magnificent in architecture, with bronze dragons and bronze phoenixes decorating the front of the hall, demonstrating the majesty of the imperial family. Many decisions that influenced the course of modern Chinese history were made in this area, witnessing that eventful era. Secondly, there is the living area for the emperor and empress, with the Hall of Jade Ripples and the Hall of Happiness and Longevity as the main bodies. The Hall of Jade Ripples was once the sleeping quarters of Emperor Guangxu. The interior of the hall is elegantly arranged, and the surrounding environment is quiet and secluded. The Hall of Happiness and Longevity was the place where Empress Dowager Cixi lived. It is elaborately decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and the furnishings are exquisite. Various precious flowers are planted in the courtyard, showing the luxury of the imperial family. This area reflects the daily life and court culture of the emperor and empress. Finally, there is the scenic and tourist area composed of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, which is the essence of the entire Summer Palace. Tourists can stroll along the mountain paths, enjoying the flowers and trees all over the mountains; they can also go boating on Kunming Lake, experiencing the beauty of the lake and the mountains. There are also many scenic spots here, such as the Long Corridor and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, each having its own unique charm. - Unique Landscape - The Purple Romance in the Long Corridor
In the Long Corridor of the Summer Palace, there is a dreamy and niche purple "waterfall", adding a touch of unique romance to this ancient garden. The slender vines climb and spread along the supports of the Long Corridor, like green ribbons. The vines are covered with blooming purple flowers. These flowers cluster together, forming a splendid purple flower sea. When the breeze blows, the flowers sway gently, as if a group of purple fairies are dancing gracefully, emitting a faint fragrance of flowers, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. This purple "waterfall" looks even more romantic and charming against the backdrop of the Long Corridor. Tourists walking through it feel as if they are in a fairy-tale world. Whether it is couples strolling here to enjoy their sweet time or photography enthusiasts capturing this beautiful moment, they are all attracted by this unique landscape. It has also become a rare and characteristic landscape in the Summer Palace, echoing with other traditional garden scenes and showing the rich and diverse beauty of the Summer Palace.
In addition, there are many supporting service facilities and cultural activities around the Summer Palace. There are characteristic snack stalls nearby, where tourists can taste traditional Beijing snacks such as fried sauce noodles and douzhi. There are also souvenir shops selling various souvenirs related to the Summer Palace, such as postcards, bookmarks, and handicrafts printed with the scenery of the Summer Palace, allowing tourists to take the beautiful memories of the Summer Palace home. Meanwhile, on specific festivals or seasons, the Summer Palace will hold some cultural activities, such as folk performances and flower exhibitions, allowing tourists to have a deeper understanding of Chinese traditional culture and the historical background of the Summer Palace. These surrounding elements further enrich the tourists' touring experience, making the Summer Palace a tourist destination integrating sightseeing, leisure, and cultural experience.
Moreover, the Summer Palace has a very high attainment in garden art. Its gardening techniques integrate elements of ancient Chinese philosophy, aesthetics, and literature. For example, in the layout of the garden, it embodies the concept of "Although it is made by man, it seems to be created by nature", perfectly combining natural landscapes with artificial buildings through ingenious techniques such as borrowing scenery and facing scenery. The plant arrangement in the garden is also unique. Different types of plants are matched according to the changes of the four seasons and the needs of the landscape, making the garden have unique colors and charm in each season. These details of garden art fascinate professional garden researchers and enthusiasts, and also enable ordinary tourists to feel a strong cultural atmosphere during the touring process.
Furthermore, the restoration and protection work of the Summer Palace has always been highly valued. The government and relevant departments have invested a large amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources in repairing ancient buildings and maintaining the garden environment. Through scientific protection measures, the Summer Palace has been able to maintain its original appearance, allowing more people to appreciate the charm of this ancient garden. At the same time, the Summer Palace actively conducts international cooperation and exchange, showing the essence of Chinese classical garden art to the world, and promoting mutual understanding and appreciation among different cultures.
In conclusion, as an outstanding representative of Chinese classical gardens, the Summer Palace has rich historical and cultural values, extremely high artistic values, and important tourist values. It is a gem in Chinese cultural heritage and a shining star in the history of world gardens.
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