Today, we went to the Summer Palace - this was built for the Emperors (specifically Empress Dowager Cixi) when they wanted to get out of the city! It's basically a very large garden with many lakes (3/4 of it is water), some lovely buildings, and some temples. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit drizzly and really cold (we were rather used to Japan which is very much warmer!). We had a nice day, but actually we found the place rather tacky!
In teh evening, we went back to this really cool Hutong again, Nanluogu Xiang. We found a really cool bar and had a couple of beers and some chips (the Drum and Bell - in between the drum tower and Bell tower), then we walked down the Hutong, found a groovy mug shop (bought chinese red-army looking mug, and then T-shirts for Ross and Felix from Plastered). We then ate in a Back-packery bar which was just what the Dr ordered!
Four animal creature, meant to detect lies and deceit - so if anyone wanted to see the Emporer they had to pass him first!
There were some pretty lakes and trees
Felix likes to look lovely in Photos
This was the philosopher's bridge where two philosophers famously discussed whether the fish were having fun or not - Ross can be seen acting out the play of this discussion on said bridge.
This was Suzhou Street - a facade of shops built to entertain the bored Emperor and Empress. Apparently they were manned by the maids and Eunuchs and sold stuff imported from miles away.
To be honest, it was all rather tacky, and had lots of people trying to sell you stuff!
This was a marble 'boat' (which didn't move) built by the Empress (from funds misappropriated from the Chinese navy! Although our book said the if she hadn't embezzled this money, and it had rightly gone for the Chinese Navy, they'd have been flounced by the British Navy on their maiden voyage, so with hindsight, this was probably a more investment providing more longevity for these squandered funds) there's a mirror up high on the top deck so she could imagine she was on the sea
This long walkway was built so granny didn't get wet!
This stone was imported hundreds of miles becuase it looked like a mushroom. Apparently they ran out of funds halfway through its voyage, so it had to take temporary resistance somewhere en route until they got some more cash!
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