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Three places to enjoy spring and ancient architecture in Beijing
CGTN

Beijing is a city of opposites, with one foot in the past and another in the present. Nowhere is this duality visible than in its architecture, where traditional and modern styles coexist and bold designs blend with vintage structures from bygone eras.

Here are three spots to enjoy the ancient architecture as well as spring blooms in Beijing.

Longevity Hill

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Glass Tower in the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Sitting at the back of Longevity Hill, the Flower Pavilion and Glass Tower are hidden spots in the Summer Palace where you can breathe in the colorful spring in quietude. The Flower Pavilion was built in 1754, and the Glass Tower in the pavilion was a gift from emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's 60th birthday.

A corner of the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

A corner of the Flower Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The pavilion was destroyed by British and French soldiers in 1860 while the colorful tower survived. The original Flower Pavilion is in ruins but the flowers in the garden still blossom every spring.

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Jingfu Pavilion, the Summer Palace, Beijing, March 26, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Close to the Flower Pavilion, the Jingfu Pavilion on the top of the Longevity Hill is also worth a visit. The Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) used to enjoy the rain and gaze at the Moon here.

The Imperial Garden

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Jade Pavilion is located in the northwestern corner of the Imperial Garden, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City was only enjoyed by members of the royalty, but now its beauty can be appreciated by the public. The pink apricot blossoms in front of the palaces have witnessed the change of history.

Palace of Longevity and Health in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Longevity and Health in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Longevity and Health in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Longevity and Health in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Earthly Tranquility in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Earthly Tranquility in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Earthly Tranquility in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Palace of Earthly Tranquility in the Forbidden City, March 27, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Drum Tower and Bell Tower

The Drum Tower, Beijing, March 25, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Drum Tower, Beijing, March 25, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

Beijing's Bell and Drum Towers lie on the northern end of the central axis of the inner city. Looking at each other for hundreds of years, the two towers are surrounded by hutongs and trees. 

The Bell Tower, Beijing, March 25, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The Bell Tower, Beijing, March 25, 2022. /CGTN's Wang Yuqiang

The best place to enjoy the spring views of the old city is to find an accessible hutong roof, such as a coffee shop or a restaurant, where you can see the spring flowers blossoming against the towers.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

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