Don Sutherland's photos with the keyword: Beijing

The Temple of Heaven (Beijing, China)—August 4, 2024. The Temple of Heaven was built during the first half of the 15th century. Its layout represents the relationship between Heaven and Earth. The Temple of Heaven is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Forbidden City (Beijing, China)—August 13, 2019. The Forbidden City was constructed from 1406 through 1420 and served as the imperial palace for emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An exterior wood figure at the Forbidden City (Beijing, China)—June 10, 2014

Relief at the Summer Palace (Beijing, China)—June 9, 2014. During the reigns of the Qing Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong (1663-1795) several imperial gardens were created around Beijing, the last of them being the Summer Palace, based on the Hill of Longevity and Kunming Lake in the north-western suburbs of the city. Kunming Lake (known earlier as Wengshan Pond and Xihu Lake) had been used as a source of water for irrigation and for supplying the city for some 3500 years. It was developed as a reservoir for Yuan Dadu, capital of the Yuan Dynasty, by Guo Shoujing, a famous scientist of the period, in 1291. Between 1750 and 1764 Emperor Qianlong created the Garden of Clear Ripples, extending the area of the lake and carrying out other improvements based on the hill and its landscape. It was to serve as the imperial garden for him and for his successors, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng. During the Second Opium War (1856-60) the garden and its buildings were destroyed by the allied forces. Between 1886 and 1895 it was reconstructed by Emperor Guangxu and renamed the Summer Palace, for use by Empress Dowager Cixi. It was badly damaged in 1900 by the international expeditionary force during the suppression of the Boxer Rising, in which Cixi had played a significant role, and restored two years later. The Summer Palace became a public park in 1924 and has continued as such to the present day. For more information: whc.unesco.org/en/list/880

Beihai Park (Beijing, China)—June 5, 2014. Beihai Park, also known as Northern Sea Park, is one of the oldest and largest downtown gardens. The Park was first constructed during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). It was then subsequently repaired and rebuilt during the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The Park largely took on its present form during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. The Park was first opened to the public in 1925.

A mural in the Forbidden City (Beijing, China)—June 10, 2014 Dragons are found throughout the Forbidden City. The dragon was considered the most powerful creature by ancient Chinese. Over time, the dragon was identified with “enlightened and virtuous” emperors.

One of the many glazed ceramic figures that adorn Imperial Chinese architecture. The yellow color is reserved for China’s emperors. There are numerous interpretations of the meaning of the procession of figures found on numerous old edifices. One interpretation suggests that the man at the head of the procession is employed in the service of the emperor and that the mythical beasts trailing him stand ready to devour him if he ever becomes disloyal to the emperor. The dragon at the end of the procession represents the authority of the Chinese state. The above photo was taken in the Forbidden City (Beijing, China)—June 13, 2013 I also want to thank Fu Zhicheng, Chen Xihua, Jihe, Yanqiong, Yanjun, and Lulu for all their assistance while in China. Your help was invaluable in helping make the experience an unforgettable one.