The palace complex was originally planned and constructed from 1406 to 1420 by the third Ming emperor Yongle, who, upon usurping the throne, determined to move his capital north from Nanjing to Beijing. Ever since, it's undergone repeated expansion and renovation. A huge number of laborers and skilled artisans were involved in the long-term construction process. Raw materials were amassed from all over the country. Stone needed was quarried at Fangshan, a suburb of Beijing. Huge amounts of timber and other materials were freighted in from faraway provinces. The wall bricks were bound together using glue made from glutinous rice and egg whites, which made the wall extraordinarily strong.
Suzhou Gardens, twisting and turning in their way
The classical gardens of Suzhou are typical examples of Chinese landscape garden design in which art, nature, and ideas are integrated to create ensembles of great beauty and peaceful harmony.
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