Summer Palace

⭐ 5.00

No. A23 Gongmenqian Street, Haidian District, Beijing, Summer Palace Scenic Area

Summer Palace
The Summer Palace nestles against the hill and faces the water, cleverly linking Kunming Lake with Longevity Hill to create the marvelous layout of "mountain hues and lake light sharing one garden." The painted corridor stretches for over seven hundred meters, with vivid paintings such as those depicting the Marble Boat and the Garden of Harmonious Interests freezing poetic imagery within the vermilion-lacquered beams and pillars. The rippling waters of Kunming Lake are spanned by the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which resembles a dragon lying across the waves. At the head of the bridge stands the bronze ox, a sacred beast for taming the waters, witnessing the thousand-year prayers of this garden. The Dehe Garden Theater once staged performances of "The Peony Pavilion," while the upturned eaves of the Tower of Buddhist Incense point heavenward, channeling the solemn grandeur of Qing-dynasty imperial sacrifices. Originally built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, this garden was rebuilt under the direction of Empress Dowager Cixi, a political figure of late Qing dynasty, during the Guangxu era, fusing the graceful elegance of Jiangnan gardens with the majestic scale of northern imperial gardens. The carved window lattices of the Yulan Hall reflect the depths of Zhenfei Well, while references to the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" hidden within the corridor murals conceal the political metaphor of Qianlong Emperor, a Qing-dynasty emperor, who sought to "govern the nation through gardens." The rockery and water design of the garden inherits the essence of Ji Cheng, a Ming-dynasty garden designer, as recorded in his treatise "The Craft of Gardens," while also establishing a paradigm for imperial gardens. Strolling along the West Causeway, one can see the stele inscribed with the three characters "Yuquan Mountain" in the personal calligraphy of the Qianlong Emperor, a Qing-dynasty emperor, echoing the imagery of "lake light and mountain hues" recorded by Ji Xiaolan, a Qing-dynasty literary figure, in his "Notes from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations." This garden is more than an imperial retreat; it is the crowning achievement of Chinese garden art. Its design philosophy of "made by man, yet appearing as if created by nature" continues to interpret the timeless allure of Eastern aesthetics.

Traveler reviews

The Summer Palace was absolutely worth the trip! I went in expecting just a standard sightseeing visit, but the tour guide's commentary really brought the history to life—every little story and ane...
⭐ 5 · Quinn Lee Expand
Strolling through the Summer Palace feels like stepping into a royal landscape garden — the noise of the city just fades away. The whole park is built around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, and it beautifully blends the graceful charm of Jiangnan water towns with the grand majesty of northern imperial architecture. Walking through the stately Renshou Hall and taking a closer look at the carved pillars and painted corridors, you can easily imagine the emperors handling court affairs here. The Long Corridor winds along the lakeshore, its beams covered in colorful paintings depicting classic stories and landscapes — every step reveals a new picture. It's endlessly charming. Climbing up the Tower of Buddhist Incense for a panoramic view is absolutely breathtaking: the vast lake stretches out, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge lies across the water, and pavilions and towers are scattered in perfect balance. Taking a boat out on Kunming Lake is another highlight — a light breeze skims the surface, distant mountains reflect in the water, and it all feels wonderfully peaceful. And...
⭐ 5 · Skyler Moon Expand