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Tourism GuideA field guide to China

Beijing · Attraction

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design and one of the most magnificent imperial gardens in the world

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Summer Palace
Beijing, ChinaField notes · Attraction
BeijingImperial GardenUNESCOHistorical Site

Why go

About Summer Palace

The Summer Palace known as Yiheyuan in Chinese is a vast ensemble of lakes gardens and palaces in Beijing China It served as a summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty imperial family The garden covers an area of 29 square kilometers with Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill as its main features The site combines natural landscapes with artificial constructions including pavilions temples bridges and corridors representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden art The Summer Palace was first built in 1750 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and was reconstructed in 1886 after being destroyed during the Second Opium War The design follows traditional Chinese garden principles of harmony between architecture and nature creating a poetic landscape that changes with every step Visitors can explore the Long Corridor the longest covered walkway in the world decorated with over 14000 paintings depicting Chinese mythology history and literature The Marble Boat symbolizes the stability of the Qing Dynasty while the Tower of Buddhist Incense offers panoramic views of the entire complex The Summer Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its exceptional testimony to Chinese garden design and imperial culture

Make time for

Practical ideas, not a checklist

  1. 01Walk along the Long Corridor to admire traditional Chinese paintings
  2. 02Take a dragon boat ride on Kunming Lake
  3. 03Climb Longevity Hill to visit the Tower of Buddhist Incense
  4. 04Explore the Suzhou Street replica of a traditional water town
  5. 05Visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity former imperial residence
  6. 06See the Seventeen Arch Bridge and its 544 stone lions
  7. 07Enjoy the Garden of Virtue and Harmony with its opera theater
  8. 08Photograph the iconic Marble Boat pavilion
  9. 09Stroll through the Garden of Harmonious Interests
  10. 10Watch traditional performances at the Dehe Garden

Good to know

UNESCO World Heritage Site
1998
Original Construction
1750
Area
2.9 square kilometers
Main Lake
Kunming Lake
Main Hill
Longevity Hill
Long Corridor Length
728 meters
Architectural Style
Traditional Chinese Garden
Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
Best Time to Visit
April to October

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