Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong(1711-1799) was on his way back to the capital after one of his periodic visits to southern China when he came upon a huge,snow-white translucent boulder in a bamboo grove. After remarking on the beauty and immensity of what appeared to him a snow dune on lush green grass,he ordered that it be brought to the royal palace. Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) was on his way back to the capital after one of his periodic visits to southern China when he came upon a huge, snow-white translucent boulder in a bamboo grove. After remarking on the beauty and immensity of what had to to a snow dune on lush green grass, he ordered that it be brought to the royal palace.