Yuan Capital Earthen Wall Relics Park is located in between the north 3rd and 4th ring roads of Beijing City. It was built upon the earthen city wall relics of the Yuan Dynasty in 2003. In this article I will show you a route including the major scenic spots of the park. Starting from Xuezhi Bridge to Mudan Yuan (Peony Garden), it will take you one hour or so to cover the whole route.
To get to the starting point, take a taxi to Xuezhi Bridge. At the southeast corner of the bridge there is a big granite stone on a lawn with both Chinese and English inscriptions reading ¡°Yuan Capital Earthen Wall Relics Park¡±. There is no entrance fee, so let¡¯s move forward.
The earthen city wall was built from 1267 to 1276 AD under the supervision of the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, Khubilai. The relics we can see today used to be a section of the northern rampart of the city.
The park is 4,200 meters long, and features a 15-meter wide moat, and a green belt. The moat is under a channel cleanout project currently, so you will probably only see a dried-up riverbed if you visit the place before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The government of Beijing designed the park to preserve and present these historical relics, as well as to improve the environment, enhance the scenery, enrich the local ecosystem, and benefit the general public. We will discover several scenic areas along this walk, including spots giving you a good idea of the splendor of the Yuan Dynasty at its prime.
As soon as one enters the park, one is charmed by its restful atmosphere and agreeable environment. People can stroll leisurely eastward on trails throughout the woods, or walk briskly along the walkway by the moat.
I visited it in early springtime, and the verdant weeping willows looked very pleasant. Laborious bees were flying about, stopping shortly on light pink peach flowers. Subtle fragrances greeted my nostrils: flowers, trees, grass, and earth.
Along your walk you will meet a host of local people, most of them elders. They live nearby, and love to take a stroll or walk their dogs here.
Before long, a Chinese-style pavilion appears before your eyes. Its red pillars and railings, and its ornate golden patterns call for a halt. Sit down, and take your time to admire its construction.
Your next stop could be this tea house decorated in ancient Chinese style. I invite you to take a seat inside or outside the house, and enjoy a cup of Chinese tea while listening to traditional Chinese music played by unique musical instruments like Guzheng, a Chinese zither with 21 or 25 strings.
The hosts serve jasmine tea at 10 yuan per pot, chrysanthemum tea for 15 yuan, and Tie Guanyin tea for 30 yuan. Hot water refills are free of charge.
Coming up next are some of the most striking sceneries of the park.
Moon¡¯s Reflection in the Silver Wave
According to historical records, the depth and width of the Yuan Dadu Moat varied from place to place. Its banks were a stage for a flourishing and prosperous urban life. Some parts of the riverbed were broadened to match the riverside architecture. The landscape has been designed to give us a natural and wild water scenery vividly representing the original style and features of the Yuan Dadu Moat.
The founding ceremony of the Dadu Capital
This scenic spot features murals and granite sculptures depicting the grand foundation ceremony of Dadu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty.
¡°Starting at the northeast corner of Yanjing, choosing the direction and location, and taking the entire empire in consideration, build the capital.¡±
Khubilai, Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, initiated the construction of the Grand Capital - Dadu (now Beijing) in AD 1267. He named this period ¡°Da Yuan¡± in 1271. In the following year, Beijing was selected as the capital of the Yuan Empire, and became the political, economic and cultural center of the newly united multi-cultural nation.
¡°Grand Foundation Ceremony of Dadu, Capital of the Yuan Dynasty¡±: a granite sculpture and a glazed mural depict the vigorous development of the newly-born capital. Starting with four tassel-and-flower decorated elephants - the guard of honor clearing the way - the group sculpture places Khubilai in the center. The emperor is sitting in the throne carried by the central elephant. Leopards around him underscore his valor.
Officials, generals, religious leaders, and diplomats march on both sides, showing support to the country. In the lower section, places, schools, churches, folk dwellings represent the momentum of the Yuan Empire.
The mural on the east wing depicts the ceremony staged at the completion of the Grand Capital (Dadu).
Flourishing Age of Saddle and Reins
In essence, the Yuan regime conquered China on horseback. In this landscaped spot, the natural style and features of the Mongolian steppes were re-created with sculptures of horses and the natural lay of the land.
The bronze group sculpture entitled ¡°The Eight Steeds¡± represents the valor and spirit of the awe-inspiring Mongolian cavaliers in the battlefield.
This scenic spot brings a nice closure to your visit of the Yuan Capital Earthen Wall Relics Park.
Exiting the park
Keep walking eastwards, and you will soon arrive at the Mudan Yuan intersection. You can take a taxi here to go to your next destination.
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