Inside the Make Up Building 扮戏楼
One of the more interesting buildings here in the Summer Palace is the Make Up Building, not only is the building impressive in it design but it also houses some significant stuff. As the name implies, the Make Up Building is indeed a place to put on make up. This builing is near a performance area and this is the place where actors and actresses put on their make for the performance.
First Car Imported into China
There are also several exhibits related to the performances such as a piped musical device and some statues which show how the actors looked like. However, most significantly, is a set of vehicles that seemed a little out of place here in the Make Up Building. The vehicles seem to be very first generation and it is really it. One of the vehicles here is said to be the first car brought to China. It was a gift to the Empress Cixi by one of her ministers.
Statues Inside the Make Up Building
Aside from the car, there were also rickshaws on display together with the car. Who would have tought that I would see the first car imported into China here of all places. It makes you wonder whether the Empress really did drive around the city in the car. What about fuel, since it was the first car, I’m sure there weren’t any gasoline stations at that time. Then again, if you are empress you can ask for anything you want.
[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/SummerPalace.kmz} zoom=19]