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The Summer Palace (YiHeYuan) |
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The Summer Palace (YiHeYuan) |
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 Introduction MapHistorySuZhou
Market StreetTibetan
Style Temple (1)Tibetan
Style Temple (2)DuoBao
Glazed PagodaTop
of Longevity HillThrough
a Picture ScrollThe
Long CorridorKunMing
LakeTower
of Buddhist Fragrance (1)Tower
of Buddhist Fragrance (2)The
Marble BoatDragon
BoatsHeading
WestThe
Naval AcademyWonderful
BridgesBeautiful
Scenery (1)Beautiful
Scenery (2)The
Jade Belt BridgeThe
Grand PavilionThe
17 Arch BridgeEmperor's
Administration AreaThe
Chinese Opera
TheatreGarden
of Harmonious InterestsRelaxing
at the Summer PalaceSunset
at the Summer Palace (1)Sunset
at the Summer Palace (2)Other
Places of Interest
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The 17 Arch BridgeReturn on the east side of Kuming lake so that you eventually reach the '17 Arch Bridge'.
The 150 meter long 17 Arch Bridge was built in 1750 by the Qing emperor QianLong. The bridge links the eastern edge of KunMing lake with the Dragon King Temple on NanHu (or PengLai) island.
The rationale behind the span having 17 arches has to do with Chinese numerology. The number eight is a symbol for luck or wealth in Mandarin Chinese. The ninth arch, the largest, is considered the number most auspicious for emperors, thus the 'Son of Heaven' is symbolically positioned in the middle of good fortune on both sides (8 arches either side). The design for the bridge is partially based on the famed Marco Polo Bridge southwest of Beijing. There are 544 carved stone lions along the railings, each one different from the others.
After exploring the
Dragon King Temple on the island, peruse the Grand
Pavillion, the largest pavillion in Beijing. |
