This afternoon Natalie and I successfully navigated the Beijing subway and public bus system (with the help of my "bus" Chinese flashcard - thanks P Noot!) to get ourselves to the Summer Palace on the outskirts of town. Here is a picture of the bus station:
This was our last day in Beijing and I am so glad we made it to the summer palace. This was where the Imperial family spent their summers. Located on the edge of a lake, the breeze and elevation would make this spot cooler during the summer months (and winter/spring - had to put on my sweater, which I've avoided for a couple of days!) The buildings were nestled in among the rocky hills amidst beautiful trees and flowering bushes.
And then down the other side of the hill leading to the water. The grounds curved around with the shore of the lake and even included some pavilions on small peninsulas that jutted into the water.
There were a couple of temples on the grounds, the most amazing and central one housing the statue of the female Buddha with "a thousand hands". In reality, the statue has 24 hands and 12 faces (3 on each of the four heads). It was several meters tall and quite impressive.
Another aspect of this palace that I really enjoyed was the decorative paining. The Forbidden city had some painting as well, but much of it had weathered badly. Restoration here was well under way and the paintings shone with vibrant colors! 
And, of course, with every step I take in Beijing, I am enjoying the emerging spring. Colors were beginning to pop out everywhere along the hill and lake side at the summer palace.
Another great day, and our last, in Beijing!
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