Summer Palace - in Summer

We visited the summer palace in winter when we first arrived in Beijing, and in spring when the trees and flowers were blooming, and I wanted to visit one more time in the eponymous season. After two weeks of depressing overcast, hot and thundery weather when Beijing has been sunk in a soup of haze and smog, today dawned with bright blue skies and a fresh wind, so I set off early to beat the rush hour traffic for a final visit.


Marble Boat Looking Grand in the Crisp Light
The Summer Palace is my favorite of the main tourist sites in Beijing. It has the grandeur of the historical context and does not (yet) feel over-restored; it is spacious enough that it never feels crowded despite the hoards of visitors; it has the appealing collection of morning activities, such as water calligraphy and impromptu singing groups; and it is a beautiful place on a bright sunny day.


Calligraphy


Giant Lotus


Yellow Flowers and Blue Sky
The lotus plants in Kunming Lake and some of the smaller lakes were blooming. The picture shows a giant lotus standing 4 or 5 feet tall, with leaves over a foot across and flowers almost as big. There weren't so many trees flowering as in spring, but these yellow flowers contrasted nicely with the bright blue sky.



Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha


Tiled Roof
The renovation work appears to be nearing completion. The centerpiece Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha has shed its scaffolding and sparkled with its fresh paint. The Long Corridor stretching along the lake side is still not finished though.


South Lake Island and Downtown Beijing from Longevity Hill


Sweeping


17 Arch Bridge
One of the nicest parts of the Summer Palace is the Garden of Harmonius Pleasure. (This is what it looked like in spring.) Now the lake is lush with lotus plants and green willow, and people were relaxing in the shady pavilions listening to the music groups.


Lotus in the Garden of Harmonius Pleasure


Pick-up Choir


Pavilion Roof