Diaoyutai
Diaoyutai [Diao Yu Tai], meaning "fishing terrace," was once an imperial mansion with a history of more than 800 years. With the ancient Diaoyutai garden as the mainstay, the complex which now has 19 villas of different architectural styles is a high-grade venue for receiving high-ranking state guests. In recent years, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse has received VIPs in political and economic fields from all over the world. However, through our special arrangement, this Statehouse is available to you as well.
In October 1958, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was built around the ruins of he ancient terrace. The Chinese government turned this place into a state guesthouse to accommodate leaders of various countries who came to attend the celebrations of the tenth anniversary of new China.
When President Nixon went to China in 1972, he and Premier Chou En-lai met in the afternoon for at the Diaoyutai Guesthouse, where the president is staying. There are about twenty houses with their own garden. This garden was copied by a famous garden in the south of China. Diaoyutai State Guesthouse is where Chinese state leaders meet with their foreign counterparts. The guesthouse represents China's image both to the world and to its own citizens. The decor of the guesthouse should fully express a great nation's grandeur and dignity that trace back to thousands of years ago. The decor should also display a style of simplicity and solemnity.
A stream winds its way through three artificial lakes on the grounds. The lakes are well stocked with fish; hotel guests can enjoy fishing at their leisure. Graceful weeping willows line the shores of the lakes, and white poplars are planted along the sides of the roads. Bridges, artificial hills, rockeries, rare flowers and exotic plants provide a rich setting for the pine-shaded villas. In addition, there are various fruit trees-peaches, apricots, apples, pears and haws. In spring lilac and flowering crabapple fill the air with their fragrance, and peonies compete for the attention of the passing bees.
Yuyuantan Park is located on the southern end of Sanlihe Road, with its main gate directly opposite the Southern Road of the Altar of the Moon (Yuetan Nanjie). In the past it was known as Angler's Terrace (Diaoyutai) because in the Chin Dynasty, an official named Wang Yu secluded himself here in the guise of a fisherman.
Nowadays, a tall brick terrace runs from north to south along the southwestern portion of the wall surrounding the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. The main western gate leading to the terrace still bears a stone plaque inscribed with Diaoyutai in Emperor Qianlong's hand. Three entrance ways stand to the east of the terrace, the central one is directly opposite to the terrace's western gate. The four sides of the terrace are lined with crenellations, which give it the appearance of a miniature castle.
This, however, is not the real Angler's Terrace, but merely a terrace built in honor of the emperor's inscription. The actual terrace stands to the north of the Room for Convalescence (Yangyuanzhai). There were a spacious hall and a pool where the emperors went fishing. In 1773, Emperor Qianlong had an imperial resort constructed here. The lake was then dredged and enlarged with spring water diverted from the Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan).
Diaoyutai State Guesthouse presents an enchanting view. Spring water flows from the distant Western Hills into the compound Yu Yuan Lake and meanders through the pavilions and villas, trees and stone bridges, linking the former imperial dwelling place with the new villas. Covering an area of 420,000 square meters, of which more than 50,000 square meters are water surface, the Guesthouse is a garden architecture marked with grandeur and harmony.
Skirting the lake in Guesthouse are eighteen villas of different styles, each having a presidential suite, deluxe suites, reception room, meeting room, banquet hall, private dining room and more than twenty high-standard guest rooms. They are all elegantly arranged, decorated and furnished with treasures, antiques, exquisite and comfortable furniture, and modern facilities.
The State Guesthouse is equipped with a club, gift shop, post office, foreign exchange office, taxi station and other service facilities such as conditions for business and recreational activities.
The Guesthouse is also renowned for the culinary feat of its kitchens. Banquets here are all prepared by master chefs well versed in famous Chinese and Western dishes or pastries, as well as dishes in the style of imperial kitchen and different kinds of local style and refreshments. The dishes of Guesthouse, highly appraised by visiting guests, absorb merits of all Chinese cuisine and form the unique style of its own.
Now the former imperial dwelling place remains basically the same as in the days of Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty. Surrounded by a beautiful corridor, Yangyuan Hall faces towering rockeries and gurgling brooks that converge into a lucid pond. Qinglu Courtyard, with pine trees and bamboo shading its zigzagging paths, is very elegant, peaceful and pleasant. Xiaobi Pavilion, a fine piece of architecture supported by its columns, provides ready ground for angling.
The State Guesthouse Club completed in 1986 boasts a novel style and elegant surroundings. Providing a variety of entertaining facilities such as bars indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, beauty salon, sauna, massage, bowling alley, billiards bridge room and mahjong room, it is an ideal place for social and recreational activities.
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