families a magnificent place for rest and entertainment.The total area acquired by the Summer Palace is around 294 hectares, three quarters of which is water. The Summer Palace consists of about 3,000 beautiful structures. Depending upon the structures the summer palace can be divided into four main parts.
The Front-Hill Area
This area is considered to be the most splendid area in the Summer Palace. This area contains many great buildings like the Gate of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom.
The Rear-Hill And Black-Lake Area
The constructions in this area of the Summer Palace are scarce but this area can very well boast of unusual landscape, dense green trees and winding paths, which lend a sense of tranquility to this place. The beautiful scenic places to be found in this area are the Garden of Harmonious Interest and Suzhou Market Street.
The Court Area
This area was used by the Emperor Dowager Cixi and the Emperor Guangxu to meet officials. On entering the East Palace Gate, visitors are able to see the main palace buildings like the Hall of Benevolence and longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples and the Hall of Joyful Longevity.
The Front Lake Area
This area covers a large part of the Summer Palace. In this area you can find the Eastern and the western Banks, the seventeen-Arch Bridge, Nanhu Island and so on.
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