Beijing Hotels on the Sidelines of the Summer Palace

By Efrenn Larson

Beijing, China's vibrant cosmopolitan and ancient capital has been home to some of the world's many wonders. You may have already heard of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, but there are still more places to see and things to do when you're in town. What's more promising is that Beijing hotels are located within considerable walking and driving distances, making them more accessible to locals and tourists alike.

In the olden times, the emperor and his court stayed inside the Forbidden City. It was there where the emperors, called 'Sons of Heaven,' made their duties. Owing to the great task that they handled, they were thus subjected to many pressures. This prompted the emperors to build the Summer Palace as a respite from everyday problems of palace life.

Literally called the 'Gardens of Nurtured Harmony,' the area is primarily dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. It covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which are water. In the Summer Palace itself, you can find a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures. Getting to this place can be made easier by working with Beijing hotels which would gladly assist you in your itinerary.

One of the most important features of the complex, the Kunming Lake was created by extending a present body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. The central lake was entirely man-made and the excavated soil was used to build Longevity Hill.

When emperor Wnyn Ling moved his capital to the Beijing area, he built a Gold Mountain Palace on the site of the hill. It was renamed from Gold Mountain to Jug Hill (Weng Shan) during the Yuan Dynasty. Finally, the Qianlong emperor of the Qing Dynasty gave the hill its present name.

Standing about 60 meters high, the hill holds several sequentially-positioned buildings. The front side is abundantly decorated with buildings and halls while the back is maintained in its natural beauty.

The Cloud-Dispelling Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, and the Sea of Wisdom Temple, all having religious and cultural significance, are some of the notable buildings in the hill's northern side.

The Summer Palace was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, calling it "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design." Today, it not only serves as a tourist destination but also as a recreational park.

Getting to this favorable destination is made less of a hassle since Beijing hotels are always ready to assist you in this journey. Whether you are to experience the homey rooms of the wonderful hotels in Beijing or marvel at the splendid quarters in the Summer Palace, you will definitely find this city worth remembering! - 30294

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