Description
Beijing. This is a picture of the so-called Marble Boat. A two story pavilion on the grounds of the famous Summer Palace and located in the Kunming Lake. Built during the Qing Dynasty, later destroyed by war and rebuilt at the request of Empress Cixi. The base is made of stone blocks. The two story upper part is made out of wood and painted white to make it look like marble. The pavilion has windows inlaid with colorful glass and at the side you can see a paddle wheel giving the impression that the boat is navigable. The Empress used the boat to enjoy the lake scenery