Marble Boat

[1] The original pavilion was made from a base of large stone blocks which supported a wooden superstructure done in a traditional Chinese design.

[1] The pavilion has a sophisticated drainage system which channels rainwater through four hollow pillars, which is finally released into the lake through the mouths of four dragonheads.

[2] The Marble Boat is often seen as an ironic commentary on the fact that the money used to restore the Summer Palace largely came from funds originally earmarked for building up a new imperial navy.

[3] The controller of the Admiralty, Prince Chun, owed much of his social standing as well as his appointment to Empress Dowager Cixi, who had adopted his eldest son, Zaitian, who was enthroned as the Guangxu Emperor.

The pavilion is 36 meters (118 ft) in length and stands on the northwestern shore of Kunming Lake, near the western end of the Long Corridor.