Pavilion
of Precious Clouds,
also called Baoyunge in Chinese, is located to the west of
the Tower of Buddhist Incense. It has another name --Bronze Pavilion.
The pavilion was made of bronze, 7.75 meters in height and 207 tons
in weight. According to historical records, the pavilion had a polished
surface and the bronze fillings amounted to five tons.
History
Pavilion
of Precious Clouds was cast in 1755. There used to be a stature of
Buddha in it for the Qing emperors and empresses to pray to.
In 1860
and 1900, the pavilion met with catastrophe twice, ten doors and windows,
the stature of Buddha and some parts of the pavilion were taken abroad
by foreign invaders.
In 1980's
a letter from a British merchant disclosed that the doors and windows
were in the hands of a French collector. Later the British merchant
succeeded in persuading the American International Group Company dong
insurance business in China to purchase them from the French collector
for us$ 530000.
In 1993,
the doors and windows that had been scattered
abroad for decades were transported back to Beijing.
the Tower of Buddhist Incense. It has another name --Bronze Pavilion.
The pavilion was made of bronze, 7.75 meters in height and 207 tons
in weight. According to historical records, the pavilion had a polished
surface and the bronze fillings amounted to five tons.