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