New Summer Palace grounds are extensive, displaying artificial hills, towers, and many restored temples. Nearly destroyed during the second Opium war, then again during the Boxer Rebellion, dynasty funds allocated for the Navy were rerouted to fix the royal home and entertaining center.
People walk across the ice on Kunming lake despite the thawed fringes along the shore. Fishing poles adorn their hands. At least the palace could offer something to its people now.
Old summer palace, commissioned in European style by Emperor Qianlong, lays in ruins.
Fallen columns,
Cracked fountains.
Perhaps a testament of sentiment toward foreign cultural influences.
YOU ARE READING
Travel Drabbles
No FicciónAfter quitting our jobs, my partner and I hopped on a one-way flight to Asia to spend six months exploring. Come along for the ride! Journey through historic and busy China, beachy and rural Thailand, temple-tastic Myanmar, delicious and sleek Malay...