Summer Palace, Beijing

The Summer Palace was built as a retreat from the summers in the Forbidden City. It has being rebuilt twice after destruction by the French and later after a rebellion. Set on over 290 hectares the gardens and lake are popular with the locals for boating and the gardens for family gatherings . The grounds contain a recreation of a shopping street built for the Qianlong Emperor called Suzhou Street
The Tower of  the Fragrance of the Buddha is an octagonal four eaved tower which gives fantastic views of the lower pavilions and the Kunming Lake.
The lake was busy with boats that take you for cruises and with pedal boats that you could hire.

Off season is now the slack season !

Stupa at the Four Great Regions

The Tower Of the Fragrance of the Buddha

Detail on the Corridor

Kunming Lake

Dragon ferry boats on Kunming Lake

View from The Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha

The Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha

The Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha

Hall of Dispelling Clouds 

Suzhou Street

Realm Of Multitudinous Fragrance

Such detail 

Temple of the Sea of Wisdom

Glowing Clouds  and Holyland Archway