Description
Black and white photograph showing view northwards through a moon gate below the Beihai Pagoda on Hortensia Island ('Qiong hua dao'). The Bell and Drum Towers can be seen in the distance. The moon gate frames the scene. The North Sea Lake is one of three lake parks in Peking where emperors built palaces and summer pleasences. It is said to date back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), when waters from springs in the western hills were diverted here. The Lake was favoured by the Manch-Qing emperors Kangxi and Qianlong and the Empress Dowager Zi Xi who added significantly to its present form. ('A guide to Old Peking', Arlington and Lewisohn, p. 77)
Significance statement
View through a moon gate from Qionghua Island in Beihai towards the Bell and Drum Towers.
Production notes
This is one of a large number of photographs that were taken by Hedda Morrison (1908-1991) during her years of residence in Peking (Beijing), China 1933-1946.
History notes
Exhibited in 'Peking: 1933-1946 - A photographic impression', Menzies Library, Australian National University, 17-30 June 1967.
Credit line
Gift of Mr Alastair Morrison, 1992
Registration number
92/1414-227
