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Summer Palace
Summer Palace

Summer01 The Summer Palace was the Imperial escape from the heat of lower Beijing. Particularly loved by the Empress Dowager Cixi at the end of the 19th Century, it was the site of much of her political power and plotting. She kept one of the emperors essentially captive in one building here for several years. She was the real power for many years, and her corruption thwarted the attempts to modernize the country, and ultimately led to the overthrow of the Imperial family. This statue was in one of the ones at the entrance to the Palace. The dragon is the symbol for male power. Summer01
Summer02 This was the statue on the opposite side of the entry. This is a Phoenix, traditional sign of female power. There were more feminine symbols here than in the Imperial City. Obvious signs of Cixi's domination here. Summer02
Summer03 Dragon statue head. That would scare away evil energies! Summer03
Summer04 The Palace was on an enormous man-made lake. Just a beautiful settings in the hills outside Beijing. The pagoda was the personal Imperial temple. Summer04
Summer04a Panorama of the vista of the Palace grounds. I could definitely understand why the Imperial Family would want to spend time here. Summer04a
Summer05 Not sure of the symbolism of this animal, but there were several similar statues throughout the grounds. Summer05
Summer06 Close up of the family pagoda. Summer06
Summer07 One of the family housing structures. These were all closed to the public. Summer07
Summer08 Would you believe a marble boat? Cixi had this built - it is almost entirely made of marble. Another symbol of her excesses. Summer08
Summer09 The original version of this boat was built in the 18th Century, and was wooden. But in the Boxer Rebellion, the wooden superstructure was burned down. Cixi had it restored in marble in celebration of her 50th birthday. Summer09
Summer12 A wayside gazebo along the shore of the lake. Summer12
Summer13 Another view of the family pagoda. I do wish structures like these were open to the public. Summer13
Summer14 Mythical creature. The statues here were varied and quite interesting - very different than the Forbidden City. Summer14
Summer15 It was right at the beginning of spring when I visited. This cherry tree was one lining the walkway. Summer15

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