The foremost of China’s Four Great Gardens, an imperial retreat built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, featuring the iconic Long Corridor, Foxiang Pavilion, and Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
The Summer Palace, originally named Qingyi Garden, was first built in 1750 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden centers on Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covering approximately 290 hectares, with water comprising three-quarters of the area — grand in scale and magnificent in scenery.
The Summer Palace gathers the essence of Chinese classical garden art, masterfully blending the solemnity of northern imperial architecture with the grace of southern water towns. The Long Corridor paintings, towering Foxiang Pavilion, rainbow-like Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and moored Marble Boat — every scene carries centuries of history and craftsmanship. It was burned by British and French forces in 1860, then rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi using naval funds and renamed the Summer Palace.
Today, the Summer Palace is not only one of Beijing's most iconic tourist destinations but also an exceptional window into Qing Dynasty court life and Chinese garden art. Every season offers different charms: spring peach and willow, summer lotus fragrance, autumn foliage, and winter Kunming Lake ice activities — a destination for all seasons.
At 728 meters, it is the longest covered corridor in Chinese gardens and the world's longest gallery. Inside are over 14,000 painted panels depicting landscapes, flowers, birds, historical anecdotes, and myths — none repeated — earning it the title "World's No.1 Corridor." Strolling through provides shade from sun and rain while admiring exquisite paintings, with the scenery changing at every step.
Standing 41 meters tall at the center of Longevity Hill's front face, it is the Summer Palace's iconic structure. Inside stands a Ming Dynasty bronze Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin statue, about 5 meters tall and gleaming gold. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of Kunming Lake and the Western Hills — the best vantage point in the garden.
Connecting Kunming Lake's east shore to Nanhu Island, it spans 150 meters with an 8-meter-wide deck featuring 17 arch-shaped openings. The stone railings bear over 540 uniquely carved stone lions, each lifelike. Around the winter solstice, sunset light can pass through all 17 arches, creating the famous "Golden Light Through Arches" spectacle.
Located on Kunming Lake's northwest shore, this 36-meter vessel is carved from a single massive stone block with a two-story Chinese pavilion on top. Built by Emperor Qianlong inspired by southern painted boats, it symbolizes "a ship of peace that can never capsize." Blending Chinese and Western architectural styles, it is one of the garden's most charming features.
Along both banks of the rear lake, this ~300-meter street was modeled after Suzhou's Shantang Street. Shops line both sides where emperors and concubines once experienced common folk life. Now reopened for business, visitors can buy traditional crafts and taste Beijing-style snacks, experiencing the charm of old Beijing street life.
Enter via North Palace Gate → Suzhou Street → Rear of Longevity Hill → Foxiang Pavilion (view from distance) → Long Corridor → Marble Boat → Kunming Lake boat dock. Ideal for time-pressed visitors — quickly experience the core sights, take photos, and exit via East Palace Gate.
Enter via East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (learn about Cixi and Guangxu's political stories) → Hall of Jade Ripples → Hall of Yiyun → Hall of Joyful Longevity → Long Corridor (savor the paintings) → Hall of Dispelling Clouds → Foxiang Pavilion (climb for panoramic views) → Marble Boat → Kunming Lake boat tour → Nanhu Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → Exit via New Palace Gate. Covers all highlights of the front hill and lake.
Enter via North Palace Gate → Suzhou Street (explore and snack) → Rear lake banks (seasonal scenery) → Garden of Harmonious Interest (garden within a garden, modeled after Wuxi's Jichang Garden) → Dehe Garden Grand Theater (Qing Dynasty court performance venue) → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Hall of Jade Ripples and Hall of Yiyun → Hall of Joyful Longevity → Long Corridor → Hall of Dispelling Clouds → Foxiang Pavilion → Sea of Wisdom → Marble Boat → Kunming Lake boating → Nanhu Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Kuoru Pavilion → Exit via New Palace Gate. A deep dive into every aspect of imperial life.
Kunming Lake Boating: Ride a painted boat or pedal boat on Kunming Lake to admire Longevity Hill, Foxiang Pavilion, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge from the water. Summer brings gentle breezes and emerald waves; in winter the frozen lake offers traditional ice activities. Boat docks are near the Marble Boat and east of Nanhu Island.
Long Corridor Painting Appreciation:The Long Corridor's 14,000+ paintings cover scenes from classics like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Journey to the West," and "Dream of the Red Chamber," plus landscapes and flowers. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens to appreciate the stories within each painting. Professional guide services are available to help decode the legends behind each painting.
Golden Light Through Arches (Winter Solstice Only): On clear evenings around the winter solstice, low-angle sunset light pierces through all 17 arches of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, with golden light and lake reflections creating a breathtaking spectacle. The best shooting position is on Kunming Lake's east shore near the Bronze Ox — arrive 2 hours early to secure a spot.
Suzhou Street Market Experience: On this recreated Suzhou Shantang Street, sample Beijing-style snacks and Jiangnan pastries while shopping for silk, porcelain, calligraphy, and other traditional handicrafts. During holidays, traditional opera, acrobatics, and folk performances are also featured.
Dining:Multiple restaurants outside the East Palace Gate; Tingliguan (inside the garden) serves authentic court cuisine at ~¥200-400 per person (advance reservation required). Near Xiyuan are Quanjudu Roast Duck, Bianyifang and other time-honored brands, plus fast food and snacks. Zhongguancun Street outside the North Palace Gate also offers diverse dining.
Accommodation:Hotels near the Summer Palace range from the five-star Aman Summer Palace (adjacent to the East Palace Gate, famous for Qing Dynasty royal-style design) to budget chains. Staying near Xiyuan or Zhongguancun is recommended for convenient transport and dining.
Nearby Attractions:The Summer Palace is adjacent to Yuanmingyuan (one subway stop away), Peking University, and Tsinghua University — easily combined in one day. To the west lies Fragrant Hills Park for autumn leaves; to the south is Zhongguancun Science Park. Combining the Summer Palace with Yuanmingyuan for a full-day deep tour is recommended.
Shopping:Suzhou Street offers traditional handicrafts. For larger shopping, head to the Zhongguancun commercial area (Contemporary Mall, Zhongguancun Plaza) or take the subway to Xidan — both well-stocked with brands.
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