The Pagoda atop Longevity Hill, the highest point of the Summer Palace Complex... ...
There is supposed to be a mini- "Bai Ta" on Longevity Hill somewhere. This mini-copy of the White Dagoba at BeiHai Park (Yong An Temple) which we will try and locate for you in october / november 2005.
China Central Television (CCTV) in western Beijing, just South of the Summer palace. This easily recognisable landmark is one of the few remarkable feats of modern architecture in West-Beijing.
Cixi's famed or repudiated "Marble Boat". Constructed around 1775 AD this peculiar piece of lavish Garden Furniture is now a Holy National relic. Entry is only allowed on occassion to distinguished national guests.
This truely unsinkable Boat has it's own story with true relevance to recent history (1845 AD Japanese Naval Victory over China).
Note the interesting details of the boat with a modern wheel design propulsion (steam-powered boat).
Here Cixi could sip her Tea while taking in the Beautiful Landscape, sounds and smells of the Garden, lake and Western Hills...
Roofed-Bridge with wooden Pailou near western end of Chang Lang
Somewhere near here are the Summer Palace Quarters assigned to Reginald Flemming Johnston, tutor to Last Dragon Emperor Pu Yi (Hsuan Tung). Johnston, Tutor between 1919 and 1925 AD, mostly worked at The Forbidden City, but at a later stage wound up supporting Emperor Pu Yi as a British but also as a Mandarin official of the highest rank. During a short period in the 1920's,, in an attempt to reform and break open the 1000 years old traditions of his corrupt household, the Emperor had been planning to leave the Forbidden City and exchange it for the Summer Palace. To avoid spoiling funds and delays intended to keep the Emperor holed up in his Palace the Emperor Pu Yi entrusted practical Johnston with the task of restoring the dillapidated Palace before the move, giving him the tile of "Commissioner in Charge of Move". In the end the move never happened as Pu Yi failed to conquer his plotting House-hold of experienced Eunuchs, but Johnston made a lot of enemies receiving the Function. The household did get back at him for this when they later saw the chance to blame Johnston for delivering Emperor Pu Yi into Japanes hands.
Johnston's assigned personal quarters at the Summer Palace were the Palace of Clearing Skies, which is a part of the Garden of Harmonious Delight ( Hsi Ch'U Yuan )
