Leader of Garden--- Yuanming Yuan in Bei jing

Being the cream of Chinese imperial gardens, Yuanmingyuan was world renowned as "Leader of Gardens". Its construction began in the 48th year of Emperor Kangxi's Reign (1709). It comprised three gardens centered on Fuhai (Lake of Fortune): Changchungyuan (Garden of Everlasting Spring) lying in the east, Yuanmingyuan (Garden of Perfection and Brightness) in the west, and Wangchungyuan (Garden of Ten-thousand Springs) in the south. Yuanmingyuan was a resort used by the feudal rulers for rest and pleasure as well as for holding audiences and attending to state affairs. Its unique architectures and accompanying scenery embodied the finest styles found in scenic spots and places of interests both in China and abroad. Most of the buildings were in the best traditional Chinese palace architectural styles, while occidental styles of arts in palace construction were also absorbed to produce a harmonious combination. One of the examples was the group of the "Western Buildings" in Changchungyuan, of which the main body was modeled on Barolk style but topped with traditional Chinese glazed-tile roofs. As a creation, the perfect combination of Chinese and western architectures added fresh contents to Chinese garden construction. One-third of the ground of Yuanmingyuan was taken up by over 200 small hills in the scenic area where precipitous cliffs, secluded valleys, steep rock walls and stone caves zigzagged their way about. Half of it was covered by waters of the vast lake and the serpentine streams and ponds. In Yuanmingyuan there were towers, terraces, pavilions, halls, corridors, pagodas, bridges etc. of different sizes, with a total construction area of 150,000 square meters, corresponding to that of the Imperial Palace. The multifarious architectures standing encircled by hills and rivulets and amidstbeautiful flowers and exquisite waters, presented a picturesque view. Of the total 160 scenic attractions in Yuanmingyuan, many were imitations of scenic mountains and rivers and famous gardens in China. Unfortunately, this header of Gardens was reduced to ruins by the fire the invading Anglo-French Joint Forces set to it in 1860, which lasted three days and nights. The remaining columns of the Western Buildings and other ruins serve as a reminder of the barbarity as well as the fierce resistance then.

More Pictures are coming soon!

Summer Palace in Bei jing (Wall Papers)

Summer Palace is also called Yihe Yuan in Chinese. It is an imperial garden known far and wide for its architectural grandeur and stunning natural beauty. Construction of the Summer Palace started in 1750.The northern part of the Summer Palace is the 60-meter-tall Longevity Hill. Its southern part is a wide expanse of water called Kunming Lake. The whole garden covers 290 hectares, with the lake taking up four-fifths of its total area.
Now it is spring, and it's the most beautiful time for Summer Palace! The flowers,green grasses, trees, birds and the lake shows a charming pictures to all the visitors.
The followings are some pictures of Summer palace.

Click on them to view large pictures

Summer Palace in Bei jing

The Summer Palace, also called yihe yuan,located ten kilometers to the northwest of Beijing,used to be a summer residence of Qing Dynasty emperors and is now a public park. It is an imperial garden known far and wide for its architectural grandeur and stunning natural beauty. Construction of the Summer Palace started in 1750.The northern part of the Summer Palace is the 60-meter-tall Longevity Hill. Its southern part is a wide expanse of water called Kunming Lake. The whole garden covers 290 hectares, with the lake taking up four-fifths of its total area.
A cluster of grand buildings adorn the middle section of the Longevity Hill. On the slope from the lakeside to the hilltop stand: a decorated archway called Jade-Like Firmament in Bright Colors, Cloud-Dispelling Hall, Hall of Virtuous Brilliance, Pavilion of Buddhist Incense and Temple of the Sea of Wisdom. Standing on the top of the hill, a visitor commands a spectacular view of buildings of different shapes and sizes down below, their golden roofs glittering under the sun; the placid, huge Kunming Lake dotted with rowing boats; a 17-arch bridge that connects an island with the lake's southern bank; the long, winding west bank of the lake joined by six bridges; and the distant West Hills.
Along the northern bank of Kunming Lake runs the Long Corridor with a total length of 728 meters and 273 sections. It is like a necklace for Longevity Hill. Strolling in the corridor, a visitor sees an endless lineup of corridor stands stretching into the distance or curving away elegantly at soft angles as well as Kunming Lake sparkling under the sun. The crossbeams of the Long Corridor are decorated with more than 8,000 color paintings with Chinese landscape and historical stories as their themes.
The 17-arch bridge on the southern bank of Kunming Lake is more than 150 meters long. Carved stone lions, of different sizes and postures, sit on top of the bridge's stone columns. An octagonal pavilion stands at one end of the bridge and near the pavilion lies a bronze ox with its head raised toward the lake. On the back of the ox is engraved a line from Emperor Qianlong stating that the ox is used to control flooding of the lake.
A Ming-style street winds along a stretch of water on the back side of Longevity Hill. The Suzhou Street, 300 meters long, is lined with more than 60 shops and decorated with archways and gateways. The shops, of different shapes and sizes, are built with bluish gray tiles and bricks. The marketplace lends a folksy flavor to the imperial garden.

Imperial Palace (Purple Forbidden City)

Located in the center of Beijing, the Imperial Palace, also known as the Purple Forbidden City, was the royal palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest, the most intact and well-protected palace complex in China and in the world as well.
During the past 500 years since its completion in 1420, it had been used by the two feudal dynasties of Ming and Qing with 24 emperors to rule over the country from here. The revolution of 1911 led by Dr Sun Yat-sen put an end to the feudal rule of the Qing in China.
The Forbidden City was opened to visitors in 1925. After 1949, the Imperial Palace has undergone renovations part by part, thereby presenting a completely new feature. Covering an area of 720,000 square meters (about 250 acres) it has a floor space totaling around 155,000 square meters with more than 890 palace buildings containing over 9,000 rooms of various sizes. Housed in the palace museum are many historical and cultural relics as well as precious works of art. It is the largest museum of culture and art in China.

The Great Wall of China(wallpapers)

Great Wall is one the wonders in the world, and it has been a sign of the war between old China with other coutries in history. The blocky wall saw the success and failure, the cheers and tear of blood. Standing on the old wall, maybe you can feel the history.
Now this Great Wall is viewing the fast development of China, and wecloming all the friends from all around the world.
An old Chinese saying--A man who has not been to Great Wall is not a real man.
If you come to China, come to Beijing, Great Wall is a sight you must visit.^_^
Come to Great Wall, Feel the History, and View the New Beijing.
Here are some pictures of Great Wall!
you can click on them to view the large pictures.