Fellow Virtual Travelers and Historians,
When you open your arms for blessings, amazing things can happen. We decided a day-excursion to the end of the Great Wall at the Bohai Sea, was too involved (and expensive) for this trip:
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/hebei/shanhaiguan/laolongtou.htm
So instead, we stayed in Beijing and visited an historical site recommended by Master Karl (who had only heard of it and has had it on his bucket list for a decade or so).
The Old Summer Palace is near in proximity to the Summer Palace we visited yesterday and is almost as large! Its history began in the early 1700's and is just as intriguing. The grounds are breathtaking, attracting artists from around the world to paint and draw water, forest and architecture landscapes. There are not nearly as many tourists and the cost of entrance is much less.
https://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/garden_perfect_brightness_02/ymy2_essay01.html
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/yuanmingyuan.htm
https://photo.chinatour360.com/beijing/yuanmingyuan/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Summer_Palace
We are next off for a 3-day adventure to begin research on a sacred mountain we've not considered before for a book. We'll let you know more, when we know more. There may be nothing left to write about at this point in history (or there never was anything)… We'll likely not have any internet access and will be flying home from Shanghai on November 8th. A night without a day. Allowing us once again to get home before we even leave Shanghai!
Thanks for traveling with us again and watch for more stories and photographs! A thank you to ALL of you who emailed us. We will have been gone for 26 days and we miss our home and our friends! At this point, among the three of us, we already have 4,500 more photos to sort through.
Gazebo and walkway - one of many as you meander the many paths.
Lake and willow trees- there are a number of lakes, lush gardens and trees, creating reflections that are amazing.
Artist - folks using all kinds of mediums were busy throughout the park, crafting their art.
Haiyantang Ruins - these ruins had been an intricate water clock.
Yuanmingyuan Haiyan - in a drawing from its heyday, this shows the water clock as it stood intact.
Ruins Column Top - the top artwork of a VERY tall pillar, left standing alone.
Dashuifa - an elaborate combination of buildings, fountains, walkways and statues.
Blessings,
Dennis & Anita