22 august 2007
- Tiananmen Square
The Tiananmen Square in the center
of Beijing, is said to be the biggest
square in the world. It is has a total
area of 440,000 square meters and
can hold one million people.
The granite Monument to the People’s
Heroes is just at the center of the
Tiananmen Square. Built in 1952, it is
the largest monument in China’s history.
- Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, located at the center of the ancient city of Beijing, was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Surrounded by a six meter deep, and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 buildings. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407 and was completed fourteen years later in 1420.
Today, the Forbidden City is a World Heritage. At the Forbidden City you can see the traditional architecture up close and marvel at the treasures of the imperial family and its court.
20 august 2007
- Summer Palace
The Summer Palace has a history of over 850 years. The Imperial garden has existed since 1150. The gardens that surrounded the Summer Palace date from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
The Summer Palace was used as a summer residence by China’s Imperial rulers, as a retreat from the main imperial palace now known as the Forbidden City. For the emperor the summer palace was a pleasure ground in the countryside, yet near to the city.
18 august 2007
- Old Summer Palace
The gardens of the Old Summer Palace, which are about the same size as Central Park in New York, date back to the 12th century. Emperor Qianlong who was inspired by French and Italian palaces and had 10 palaces of his own designed and built in rococo style in the gardens.
When the British and French were unhappy with the Chinese government’s refusal to accept opium in return for silk, tea and other goods, the Europeans destroyed the 10 palaces of the emperor. The destruction occurred over three days in 1860 during the Second Opium War (1860-1862). The troops burned all the wood structures and did as much damage to the marble facades as they could.
The Old Summer Palace which is known as the Ruins of the Yuanmingyuan (the Garden of Perfection and Light) was also called the ‘garden of gardens’ or the ‘Versailles of the East’ in Europe. Hundreds of scenic spots in the Garden are made up of exquisitely constructed, earth and rock hills, rivers and ponds, exotic flowers and grasses, Grand Waterworks, and a Labyrinth. The Old Summer Palace embodies the essence of Chinese ancient landscape gardening.
15 august 2007
- Great Wall / Chinese Wall
To reach Mutianyu Great Wall there are more than 1,400 steps to climb. Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China.
The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557). In the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, rebuilt it in order to strengthen its defensive potential when they guarded the strategic pass. Mutianyu Great Wall winds 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite.
The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. There are 22 watch towers distributed at close intervals along the wall.
“He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man.” - Mao Zedong
14 august 2007
- Beihai Park
Beihai Park is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in China located in the center of Beijing.
This ancient garden, with over 1,000 years’ history, is not only a classic combination of the grandiosity of the northern gardens and the refinement of the southern gardens in China, but also a perfect integration of magnificent imperial palaces and solemn religious constructions.
- Beihai Park, Nine-Dragon Screen
The well-known Nine-Dragon Screen, which is the only screen in the world having nine huge dragons on both sides among the most famous three. The Nine-Dragon Screen is about 27 meters (about 88.6 feet) long, 6.65 meters (about 21.8 feet) high and 1.42 meters (4.66 feet) thick.
The Nine-Dragon Screen is still bright in color and complete in appearance, showing the high techniques of Chinese arts and crafts in ancient times.
