Updated 17th March, 2004
China Mystery Tour Two - - The Grand View Gardens, Beijing.
The Grand View Gardens in Beijing has been designed in the manner of the gardens described in the Chinese Classic, "Dream Of Red Mansions". As you walk through the Grand View Gardens wonderful vistas can be enjoyed along the pathways, through the trees, over bridges, alongside lakes and over miniature mountains. In the Grand View Gardens there are colorful painted galleries to visit and the mansions and pavilions which it contains.
If you are lucky, you might see part of the story being filmed for Chinese television, on which it is shown as a serial, in sharp contrast to the "Soap Operas" of the Western World. I rarely visit Beijing without paying at least one call to the Grand View Gardens, whether it be Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, for each season has its particular charm.
Clicking the picture will take you to a larger copy which will open in a new window, and closing the window will bring you back here.
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The sounds of pipes and cymbals in the Grand View Gardens used to heralded the passing of an Emperor or Mandarin or their concubines or officials, in a procession of sedan chairs. This means of transport can sometimes be experienced by any visitor to the Gardens, on payment of a small fee.
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This couple in the Grand View Gardens had no interest in sedan chair processions, goldfish in lakes or the sound of rustling willow branches, but only in each other. The lady was gazing admiringly at a ring on her finger, so I might well have witnessed a proposal of marriage !
This type of table and stools is found in many parts of the Grand View Gardens; they are quite solid, immovable, and therefore completely vandal proof......
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