Travels in China

[Ferocitus]

You have a good eye, Birdjaguar!
Your collection contains some really beautiful photos of some stunning architecture and engineering. Thanks.

 

[Birdjaguar]

You have a good eye, Birdjaguar!
Your collection contains some really beautiful photos of some stunning architecture and engineering. Thanks.

I can't take any credit for the architecture or engineering, but seeing and taking pics was fun. Reliving it now is fun too. I was there for 30 days and took more pictures towards the end.

 

[EnglishEdward]

I cannot help feeling that Birdjaguar chose the perfect time to visit.

If he had visited in earlier years, the internal travel infrastructure would have been less developed,
while in the future political developments may result in western visitors being less welcome.

 

[Crezth]

@Crezth When and where did you live in China?

Just a few years back, for a year, and I was located in Chongqing. I was teaching electrical engineering. I miss those spicy beef noodles.

Your photos look great! Really took me back.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Just a few years back, for a year, and I was located in Chongqing. I was teaching electrical engineering. I miss those spicy beef noodles.

Your photos look great! Really took me back.

If you were there a year, I hope you got to see a lot of China.

I cannot help feeling that Birdjaguar chose the perfect time to visit.

If he had visited in earlier years, the internal travel infrastructure would have been less developed,
while in the future political developments may result in western visitors being less welcome.

It was a good time to visit. The business end of things went to hell by the end of 2018 but during my visit everyone was very friendly and optimistic.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The Summer Palace continued

The length of the north sore of the lake has the Long Corridor, a lavishly painted covered walkway along the shore of the lake. The corridor was first built in 1750 and rebuilt in 1884. It is over 700 meters long and divided into 270 different painted sections.
There are more than 14,000 paintings, which depict episodes from Chinese classical literature, folk tales, both historical and legendary figures, and famous Chinese buildings and landscapes along with flowers, birds, fish, and insects. It would take days of looking to enjoy them all.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Two short videos of the Long corridor. Walking the Long corridor was a great way to spend a morning learning bout the Summer Palace; the weather was nice and Lena was a great guide!


Link to video.


Link to video.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Halfway along The Long Corridor we segued up Longevity Hill. For a man made hill it was pretty high.

The entrance and some courtyard sculptures protected with wire cages.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The tower at the top is the Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Looking back down the steps

 

[Birdjaguar]

Hall of Dispelling Clouds

 

[Birdjaguar]

Realm of Multitudinous Fragrance

 

[Birdjaguar]

Revolving Archives: The two pictures connect at the edge and you can see the many steps and steep hillside. I just love the architecture of these old buildings. This was a sort of library where Confucian and Buddhist books were kept. You can see the lake in the background where we have yet to go. The third picture shows the lake and some of the lower rooftops.

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[Birdjaguar]

The Baoyun Bronze Pavilion

This cast bronze building was built in 1755. It survived the 1860 burning of the Summer Palace, but in 1900 many of the bronze windows were stolen and taken to Europe. Overseas Chinese ransomed them back and they were restored to the building.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Buildings and grounds surrounding the Bronze Pavilion

 

[Birdjaguar]

The Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha as seen from the area of the Bronze pavilion.

 

[Birdjaguar]

After exploring Longevity Hill we continued our walk through the Long Corridor to its end where the lake edge changed direction.
Yiyun Hall and Wenchang Tower were next on our list. Our goal was this bridge in the last picture: The 17 Arch Bridge.

 

[Birdjaguar]

On our way we passed an energetic man showing off his calligraphy skills by painting in water on stone.


Link to video.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The 17 Arch Bridge is 150 meters long. This bridge is sometimes called the Marco Polo Bridge.

Starting out across the bridge
Bridge Art
Looking back at the bridge from its end on the island

 

[Birdjaguar]

Video of the bridge and lake.


Link to video.