Imperial Summer Palace, Chengde

It's the avoid heat resort build by emperors to spend the summer season. 

Emperor Kang Xi writes the wrong word. The word “避” has extra strokes. Is he not paying attention or concern what he is writing? Or it is just muscle memory in his fingers?

Male stone lion has a ball under the paw representing weapons and masculine.

Female stone lion is seen with a cub symbolized guardianship over the kids. 

 Main pavilion where the emperor handle the state affairs. 

The decorations are based on 吉 word.

 The secret of Emperor Kang Xi’s youthfulness is praying to the God. So, the first thing he did in the morning is praying. 

Little surprise by the tiny living quarters of the emperors since I expect lavish, large buildings and decorations.

This may look like the ordinary wood pillars but it’s made by Jinsi Nanmu (金丝楠木)-the valuable wood available to the royals for their thrones and furniture.

It’s hard to find Jinsi Nanmu woods nowadays.

But I notice Jinsi Nanmu woods can make incense sticks and we have one box incense sticks.

 Make a wish and hope for the best 

This is not the mini Potala, instead it's in imperial summer palace

No stairs to the upper buildings. It only can access by the stone staircases. Innovative!!! 

 Filming location of My Fair Princess (环珠格格)

The buildings are well-maintained

The gardens and lake are so beautiful. I could for the long time for watching. 

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"Chengde Foods"

Roasted chestnuts are on sale.  

While in Beijing, roasted chestnuts turns into mobile street foods. The chestnuts vendors set up the selves connected to the back of the motorcycles or tricycle. 

Donkey rolling/lu da gun (驴打滚）- a cake made with sweet red bean paste and sticky rice flour. 

 Mash potatoes with corn syrup. A very good taste!

 I love the way China cooks the lambs as it has no lamb odors and bad smells. I can’t recognize it and hope to have it in every meal.

I've no idea about this dish. But one thing I reckon is delicious-refreshing and packed with flavors

Dinner. Peanuts can be seen in all the dishes in China either Beijing, Chengde and Wulanbutong grassland.