Beijing - Royal Resorts Tour
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The erstwhile Royal Resort, today's Summer Palace, is a mere stone toss away from Beijing's bustling streets, a fresh air suburban getaway. This placid paradise appears as though carved from the rock below as she drapes the horizon slumping deep enough to from a green sunbeam-flaked lake in its bosom, a place where tranquility explodes producing a desirable affect of suffocating one's worldly problems. Cruising these teal waters by dragon boat is a pleasure for both visitors and locals alike.
Next we immerse ourselves in the soothing aromas of Fragrant Hill Park that ignite escapist feelings buried deeply within the soul. Whether engulfed in rolling valleys laughing at how the breeze shuffles through the hair or found groping towards bashful clouds which duck peak to peak, Fragrant Hill Park gingerly unshackles the childhood scent from us all.
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An outstanding example of imperial gardens in classical Chinese style, the Summer Palace, first built in 1750, spreads on an area of 2.9 million square metres, three fourths of which are water surfaces. Its major attractions are the Wanshou (longevity) Hill and the Kunming (Jade Spring) Lake. Main scenic spots include the Tower of Buddhist Incense, Long Corridor ( 728 m , 273 pavilions, filled with mythical paintings and scenes), Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, 17-Arch Bridge, Garden of Harmonious Interests, Suzhou Street and Marble Boat, etc. Summer Palace is listed as UNECO's World Cultural Heritage.
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Located 28 kilometers (17 miles) northwest from the downtown of Beijing , Fragrant Hill is what its name indicates, sweet-smelling with picturesque natural scenery in all seasons. Initially built in 1186 in the Jin Dynasty, it became a summer resort for imperial families during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Temple of Brilliance and the Indian-styled Azure Clouds Temple are some of the sites worth visiting. The best time to visit the park is in autumn when the hill is illuminated by red leaves in different shades.
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