Exploring Qingweiliao on a Stroll Through Jingyi Garden

🚶‍♂🗺 Today, after descending from Xianglu Peak, I took the South Route, walking along the outer wall of Jingyi Garden around the entire valley to visit Qingweiliao above Jingcui Lake. 🚶‍♀🌄 🏛📜 Qingweiliao was built in the 10th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1745) and is one of the Twenty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jingyi Garden. It belongs to the inner garden landscape, situated in the functional area where the emperor worked, studied, worshipped Buddha, and rested. 📜👑 🏞🏯 Qingweiliao is located on the mountaintop south of Jingcui Lake, on the easternmost protruding ridge of the southern mountains. It is a five-bay open pavilion with a hip-and-gable roof and a surrounding corridor. The eaves bear a plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong with the words "Qingweiliao." 🏯🖌 👀🌄 The view here is exceptionally expansive—overlooking Jingcui Lake and the Xulangzhai Palace on the opposite shore, gazing up at Xianglu Peak and Xiangshan Temple, looking north toward Zhaomiao and Biyun Temple, and even catching a distant glimpse of Yuquan Mountain and the Summer Palace to the east. 🌅🏰 🏔🖼 Standing at Qingweiliao, one can admire the lush green peaks stretching endlessly, evoking the majestic feeling of "ascending the summit and dwarfing all other mountains." Perhaps this is why Emperor Qianlong was inspired by Du Fu's famous poem "Gazing on Mount Tai" and named the spot after its line, "How splendid is Mount Tai? Its green expanse stretches endlessly through Qi and Lu," symbolizing the boundless, verdant mountain scenery. 🖼📜 🎨🖌 The open pavilion is exquisitely crafted, with beams, rafters, and lintels adorned with mid-Qing dynasty golden-line cloud and autumn wood Su-style paintings, featuring floral, avian, and narrative motifs in an elegant style typical of imperial garden architecture, showcasing immense artistic value. 🖌🎭 🏞🏰 From the pavilion, looking left to right: Xiangshan Temple and the opposite Toad Peak are also among the Twenty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jingyi Garden. The full view of Xiangshan Temple is unobstructed, and the Liuxi Pavilion atop Toad Peak is clearly visible. The white complex straight ahead is the Fragrant Hills Hotel, built on the ruins of Xulangzhai Palace. Raising your gaze, Xianglu Peak is unmistakable with its Chongyang Pavilion at the summit. Zhaomiao and the Glazed Pagoda, landmarks of the Fragrant Hills, are also visible. The majestic Diamond Throne Pagoda of Biyun Temple—one of Beijing’s four remaining and the tallest in China—stands imposingly. 🏰🗼 🍁📸 In autumn, Qingweiliao, situated at the edge of the red-leaf forest, offers both a "bird's-eye view of the crimson sea" and "up-close leaf appreciation." Ascending the stone steps along Jingcui Lake’s eastern shore, visitors can walk through the red foliage and take in the panoramic view of the southern hills’ vast maple woods. Many classic Fragrant Hills autumn photos are taken here, making it one of the top five red-leaf viewing spots. 📸🍁 📜🖋 Emperor Qianlong composed poems and prefaces for each of Jingyi Garden’s Twenty-Eight Scenic Spots. The preface to "Qingweiliao" reads: "The southern ridge, a separate peak, forms the right arm of the palace gate. Lush green peaks fill the view, with villages and fields stretching endlessly. Yuquan Mountain appears like an ink dot, and the capital’s trees are faintly discernible. One need not climb Mount Tai or gaze upon Qi to grasp Du Fu’s poetic vision." The poem says: "A fist-sized rock rivals the deepest green, matching the boundless hues. Rivers and woods stretch beyond sight, clouds and trees endless. Recalling Bai Juyi’s retreat, its worth beckons distant minds. Ascending to the summit, one need not fear the rugged path." 🖋📜 👑📚 In the preface, Emperor Qianlong first describes Qingweiliao’s natural scenery, explains its poetic naming, and subtly conveys his imperial sentiment—expressing love for nature and confidence in cultural heritage. The poem echoes Du Fu’s "boundless green" grandeur while alluding to Bai Juyi’s later years in Luoyang’s Fragrant Hills, where he formed the "Nine Elders Society." It contrasts the perilous Shu roads with the Fragrant Hills’ accessibility, metaphorically reflecting the emperor’s composed governance and sovereign dignity. 📚👑 🔥🏚 In 1860, Jingyi Garden was burned by Anglo-French forces, and Qingweiliao was reduced to ruins. Only its foundation remained until 2015, when Xiangshan Park restored it to its original glory. 🏚🔧 🏛🌳 "Qingweiliao" is not only an outstanding example of Qing imperial gardens but also a perfect fusion of Chinese tradition and natural landscapes. It carries rich historical and cultural heritage, serving as vital material for studying Qing dynasty imperial architecture and culture. 🌳📚