Zhichun Pavilion

Zhichun Pavilion

Chinese garden design is an important part of traditional culture, renowned both in China and abroad for its elegant charm and strong oriental flavor. Representative structures of ancient architecture—pavilions, towers, terraces, corridors, bridges, and boat-shaped pavilions—not only serve as places for visitors to enjoy the scenery and relax, but also act as essential decorative elements within the overall landscape. Among these, pavilions rank first in classical architecture and are often used as scenic accents between mountains and water. Zhichun Pavilion is located on the eastern shore of Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace. It features a double-eaved, four-cornered pyramidal roof. From its railing, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire garden. The area around the pavilion is lined with weeping willows, creating especially beautiful scenery in spring. It is said that the name “Zhichun” (Knowing Spring) originates from a line in a Song Dynasty poem: “The duck knows first when the river water warms in spring.” Every year, the thawing of Kunming Lake usually begins here, which is why the pavilion was named Zhichun Pavilion.

Location

No. 19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing