Summer Palace

The summer palace is about 4 or 5 miles north of the forbidden city, but has a different feel. Less serious, more playful. My favorite part of the forbidden city was probably the gardens and the summer palace is more like that all over.



There's a big lake and we rented paddle boats to get around part of the time. Here Carrie and I take a turn pedaling.



A dragon boat crossed our path.



This quite spot is known as the Pavillion of Bright Scenery. It's less restored, more antique condition gave it a nice feel.



This is part of the 'long corridor'. A corridor is often a feature in Chinese formal gardens and this is the longest (you'd better not have a corridor longer than the Emporer's or you're asking for trouble. Over 8000 separate painted scenes in the ceiling.



A buddhist shrine at the top of the hill.