The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), 12-15 km northwest of central Beijing, ranks as China's largest preserved imperial garden complex. Hand-dug lakes, artificial hills, wooden pavilions and painted galleries compose a landscape designed in the 18th century as a summer residence for the Qing court. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, the grounds cover approximately 2.9 km², of which 700,000 m² are occupied by Kunming Lake alone.

Why Visit the Summer Palace

• A 2.9 km² landscaped ensemble blending lake, hills, temples and imperial pavilions.
• Remarkable structures: Pavilion of Buddhist Fragrance, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Cixi's marble boat.
• A direct window into the turbulent history of the Qing dynasty, from the grandeur of Qianlong to the empire's decline.
• An open-air alternative to urban Beijing sightseeing, accessible by metro from the city centre.

History of the Summer Palace

Construction of the estate began in 1750 under Emperor Qianlong, who wished to provide the court with a refuge away from the heat of the Forbidden City. To give Kunming Lake its present form, approximately 100,000 workers were mobilised to excavate and enlarge the water body, under the direct supervision of the emperor from a neighbouring hill.

The site suffered two major destructions. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, Anglo-French troops pillaged and burned the imperial gardens in northwest Beijing. From 1888 onwards, Dowager Empress Cixi undertook the restoration of the estate, diverting funds originally intended for the Chinese navy. Her only concrete contribution to the imperial fleet was the Qingyan marble boat, 36 metres long, moored on the northern shore of the lake. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, foreign troops burned the palace again, only for it to be restored once more.

The Summer Palace, nicknamed the imperial garden or garden of preserved harmony, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998 for its representation of the art of Chinese landscape gardening.

What to See on Site

The Renshou Complex and Official Zone

Beyond the East Gate, which serves as the main entrance, the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou) hosted political audiences of the Qing court. The courtyard is guarded by bronze dragons and phoenixes. To the south, the Hall of Jade Waves (Yulan) borders the lake: it was here that Cixi placed Emperor Guangxu under house arrest following the failure of the Hundred Days of Reform. The Leshou Palace, Cixi's main residence, is connected to the rest of the estate by the famous Covered Gallery, decorated with thousands of paintings.

Longevity Hill (Wanshou)

The hill dominates the lake and concentrates the most spectacular structures on the site.

• Pavilion of Buddhist Fragrance (Foxiang): 41 metres high, set on a stone terrace 20 metres high and supported by eight wooden pillars. The visual high point of the estate.
• Pavilion of Ordered Clouds (Paiyun): 21 halls arranged around a throne decorated with nine dragons, the largest complex in the Summer Palace.
• Pavilion of Precious Clouds (Baoyun): a structure entirely of bronze, 7.55 metres high and weighing 207 tonnes, one of the largest bronze constructions preserved in China.
• Garden Theatre Tower Dehe: 21 metres high, erected for Cixi's 60th birthday, where she hosted imperial opera performances.
• Temple of Prayer Wheels (Zhuanlun) and Zhihui Hai Temple, at the summit of the hill.

Kunming Lake and Its Structures

The lake covers three-quarters of the park and stretches to the western boundary. It contains three islands — Nanhu, Tuancheng and Zaojian — which symbolically echo the legendary islands Penglai, Fangzhang and Yingzhou, said to be the dwelling place of Taoist immortals. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge (Shiqikong), 150 metres long and 8 metres wide, connects Nanhu Island to the mainland; its balustrades bear 544 stone lions, each different. On the northern shore, Cixi's marble boat recalls the budget episode that sealed the fate of the imperial fleet.

Xiequ Garden and Suzhou Street

At the foot of the hill, the Garden of Harmonious Pleasure (Xiequ) reproduces the aesthetic of southern China's gardens around a central pond. To the west, near the North Gate, Suzhou Street recreates a shopping street from a Jiangnan water village, with shops and stalls lining a canal.

When to Visit

The Summer Palace can be visited year-round, but each season offers a distinct character:

• Spring (April-May): blooms and mild temperatures, ideal for walking through the park.
• Summer (June-August): lotus flowers bloom on the lake, but expect heat and heavy tourist traffic.
• Autumn (September-October): clear skies, maple foliage on Wanshou Hill, the most photogenic season.
• Winter (December-February): Kunming Lake freezes over, making it possible to walk on the ice and offering entirely different perspectives.

Allow a minimum of half a day, or a full day if you wish to climb the hill and walk around the lake.

Practical Information

• Opening hours: open daily with reduced hours in winter and extended hours in peak season. Check current hours at the official ticket office before your visit.
• Admission: moderate entry fee, with a combined ticket providing access to pavilions and interior gardens (Foxiang, Dehe garden, marble boat, etc.). The combined ticket is recommended to fully experience the site.
• Visiting tips: enter via the East Gate to follow the historical route, or through the North Gate to start with Suzhou Street and descend towards the lake. Good walking shoes are recommended (elevation change on Wanshou Hill).

How to Get There

The site is located 12-15 km northwest of central Beijing.

• Metro: Line 4, Beigongmen station (North Gate, immediately nearby) or Xiyuan exit C2 (East Gate).
• Bus: numerous lines serve stops at Yiheyuan, Yiheyuan West Gate and Yiheyuan North Gate. The metro remains the simplest option for foreign visitors.
• Taxi / Ride-hailing: allow 30 to 45 minutes from the city centre depending on traffic.

Nearby Attractions

Northwest Beijing is home to several major sites that can be combined with a visit to the Summer Palace:

• The Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), immediately nearby, whose ruins bear witness to the sacking of 1860.
• Tsinghua and Peking Universities, the Haidian district.
• The Great Wall at Juyongguan, accessible as a day trip from Beijing.
• For further exploration of imperial art in Beijing: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Trip

The Summer Palace fits naturally into a broader Beijing itinerary, alongside the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. To build a customised trip incorporating these sites, consult our tours in China.