Beijing Day 3: Summer Palace

We proceeded to the Summer Palace from Beijing Zoo.  The Summer Palace is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China.  The construction of the Palace started in 1750.  It was constructed to serve as a summer getaway of the Chinese royal family.  It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

 Actually, the Summer Palace is accessible via ferry from the Beijing Zoo.  However, since we visited during winter, Kunming Lake, which connects the Summer Palace from Beijing Zoo was frozen.  Thus we took the subway from Beijing Zoo Station (Line 4) and exited on Beigongmen Station (also in Line 4). 

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Summer Palace Ticket Booth

We entered the Palace via the North Gate.  A combo entrance ticket to the Palace costs CNY 50.00. Upon entering, you will notice Suzhou Street along Back Lake.  You need to pay a separate entrance fee of CNY 10.00 if you wish to enter Suzhou Street.  Suzhou Street is full of shops where you can buy cheap souvenirs.  The street imitates ancient style Chinese shops along the riverbanks.  

Top view of Suzhou Street

Shopping here is a unique experience

 As you move further into the Summer Palace, you will notice that you have to climb lots of steps.  Actually the Summer Palace is located on a hill, Longevity Hill that is.  For us who do not exercise regularly, a trip to the Palace will surely be a challenge.  However, you would definitely not mind the exhaustion.  While walking, you will feel that you are an emperor during the 1700s.   

It's an uphill climb to the Palace

Beautiful Chinese architecture

One of the many halls in the complex

One of my many "I-love-myself" pics in the Palace

Nice view

There are lots of beautiful spots in the Summer Palace where you can have your photos taken. I will just leave them up for you to find out. It is a pretty nice place and well worth the long subway trip.  We then rushed to our hotel get our bags then rushed to the airport to catch out flight to Shanghai.

Next Stop: SHANGHAI