Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
earmarked for a modern navy; the marble boat at the northern edge of the lake
was her only nautical, albeit quite unsinkable, concession.
Foreign troops, angered by the Boxer Rebellion, had another go at torching
the Summer Palace in 1900, prompting further restoration work.
Glittering Kunming Lake swallows up three-quarters of the park, overlooked
by
Longevity Hill
( Wanshou Shan). The principal structure is the
Hall of
the east gate, housing a hardwood throne and attached to a courtyard decor-
ated with bronze animals, including the mythical
qilin
(a hybrid animal that only
appeared on earth at times of harmony).
An elegant stretch of woodwork along the northern shore, the
Long Cor-
the slopes and crest of Longevity Hill behind are adorned with Buddhist
temples. Slung out uphill on a north-south axis, the
Buddhist Fragrance
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( Paiyun Dian) are linked by corridors. Crowning the
Zhihui Hai), tiled with effigies of Buddha, many with obliterated heads.
on the north shore, south of some fine Qing
boathouses
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( Chuan Wu). When the lake is not frozen, you can traverse Kun-
ming Lake by ferry to
South Lake Island
(
Nanhu Dao
)
, where Cixi went to
Shiqikong Qiao) spans the 150m to the eastern shore of the lake. In warm
weather,
pedal boats
(4-/6-person boat per hr ¥40/60; 8.30am-4.30pm in
summer)
are also available from the dock.
Towards the North Palace Gate,
Suzhou Street
( Suzhou Jie) is an enter-
taining diversion of riverside walkways, shops and eateries designed to mimic
the famous Jiangsu canal town.
