Tourism GuideSummer Palace
A masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design blending natural scenery with artificial features
Key Information
UNESCO Status
World Heritage Site since 1998
Construction Year
1750
Total Area
2.9 square kilometers
Main Features
Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, Long Corridor
Best Time to Visit
April to October
The Summer Palace in Beijing is a stunning imperial garden that represents the pinnacle of Chinese landscape architecture. Originally built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty, it served as a luxurious retreat for emperors to escape the summer heat of the Forbidden City. The palace complex covers 2.9 square kilometers and features Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and numerous pavilions, temples, and bridges. The design harmoniously integrates natural hills and open water with man-made structures, creating a perfect balance between human creativity and nature's beauty. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its exceptional preservation of Chinese garden design principles.
Things to Do
- Walk along the Long Corridor with its 14
- 000 traditional paintings
- Take a dragon boat ride on Kunming Lake
- Climb Longevity Hill for panoramic views
- Visit the Marble Boat pavilion
- Explore the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
- Admire the Seventeen-Arch Bridge
- See the Buddhist Fragrance Pavilion
- Enjoy the Suzhou Street market area
