Beijing Hotels and the Summer Palace: Homes for Important People

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.

Accurately called the 'Gardens of Nurtured Harmony,' the site is generally dominated by the Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. It covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-fourths of which are water. You can find a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures in the Palace itself. Transportation to this place is never a problem since Beijing hotels will take care of these for you.

An important part of the complex is the Kunming Lake which was created by extending a present body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. To build Longevity Hill, the excavated soil from the lake was used.

When the capital was moved near the Beijing area, emperor Wnyn Ling built a Gold Mountain Palace on the site of the hill. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was renamed from Gold Mountain to Jug Hill (Weng Shan). The Qianlong emperor of the Qing Dynasty finally christened the hill with 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.

In the hill's northern side, you can find buildings of religious and cultural significance. These are the Cloud-Dispelling Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, and the Sea of Wisdom Temple, among others.

In 1998, The Summer Palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since it is "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design," it not only serves as a tourist destination at present but also as a recreational park.

This must-visit site can easily be accessed since Beijing hotels will assist you in planning your itinerary. While staying in one of the hotels in Beijing, allow us to comfort you with the perks just like that of the Summer Palace. Indeed, in Beijing, you will experience a level of comfort that is more than what you have expected!

Author E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works closely with the Fuhao Hotel Beijing and other beijing hotels. Go to his website on the Fuhao Hotel Beijing here.

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