Longevity Hill

Longevity Hill

Part of the Yanshan Mountain range, it stands 58.59 meters high with an elevation of 108.94 meters. Facing Kunming Lake in front, in the seventh year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1494), Empress Dowager Xiaozong’s wet nurse, Lady Luo, built Yuanjing Temple in front of the hill. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was used as a hayfield for the imperial court’s horses.

In the 15th year of the Qianlong reign, to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Empress Dowager, the Yan Shou Temple was built on the site of Yuanjing Temple. The following year, the hill was renamed Longevity Hill. Earth excavated during the expansion of Kunming Lake was piled onto the hill according to the original layout, forming gentle and symmetrical slopes on the east and west sides, making it the central feature of the entire garden. The architectural complex was built along the hillside. The current structures were reconstructed by Empress Dowager Cixi after they were burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces. Passing through Cloud-Ranking Gate, the Second Palace Gate, Cloud-Ranking Hall, Dehui Hall, Tower of Buddhist Incense, and up to the Wisdom Sea at the hilltop, a central axis that rises layer by layer is formed.

Today’s Longevity Hill was called Weng Shan (Jar Hill) during the Yuan Dynasty. Legend has it that it was named after an old man dug out a stone jar filled with treasures on the hill. In front of the hill lies a lake called Weng Shan Pool. In 1292 (the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty), scientist Guo Shoujing excavated the Tonghui River, diverting spring water from Changping and the Western Hills into the lake, which then flowed into the imperial city walls to support canal transport. Weng Shan Pool thus became a reservoir for regulating the capital's water supply. From then until the Ming Dynasty, numerous influential temples and monasteries were built around the lake, the most prominent being the “Great Chengtian Husheng Temple” on the northwest shore of the lake, known for its grand architecture and a white marble fishing platform extending into the lake. Yuan emperors often came here to cruise, fish, and enjoy leisure time.

Xiangyan Zongyin Zhi Ge (Fragrant Cliff Sect Seal Pavilion) – Built during the Qianlong period, it served as the central structure of the Four Continents and was originally a three-story pavilion. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860 and rebuilt during the Guangxu era into its current form. The pavilion houses statues of the Three Ages of Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats.

Jiayin Xuan (Elegant Shade Pavilion) – Originally built during the Qianlong era, it got its name because it was situated between the shade of two ancient locust trees. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860 and rebuilt in 1989.

Xi Qu Yuan (Garden of Harmonious Interest) – Built in the 16th year of the Qianlong reign, modeled after the famous Jichang Garden in Huishan, Wuxi, it was initially named Huishan Garden. It was renovated in the 16th year of the Jiaqing reign (1811) and renamed Xi Qu Yuan. Covering several acres of square ponds, the garden features pavilions, towers, halls, studios, bridges, and terraces along the water, all connected by a 100-room corridor that twists every few steps, creating a landscape where every step reveals a new view. It is China’s most renowned “garden within a garden.”

The Four Continents – A Tibetan-style religious architectural complex built during the Qianlong era, consisting of the “Southern Jambudvipa,” “Northern Uttarakuru,” “Eastern Pūrvavideha,” and “Western Aparagodānīya.” It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860, and the current layout was reconstructed in 1980 based on the original design.

Danning Tang (Tranquil Calm Hall) – Built during the Qianlong era, it is an important scenic building at the back lake, nestled by the hill and water, tranquil and serene. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860 and was not restored during the reconstruction of the Summer Palace in the Guangxu era. In 1996, after extensive evaluation and approval by the state, it was rebuilt on the original site in its original form to display the collection of Ming and Qing imperial furniture treasures of the Summer Palace.

Chengguan (City Pass) is one of the six major passes in the Summer Palace. Built during the Qianlong era, the eastern stone plaque is inscribed with “Yinhui,” and the western one with “Yishuang,” corresponding to the “Tongyun” pass in the west. All are land gates of Suzhou Street.

Tiaoyuan Zhai (Distant View Studio), commonly known as “Kanhui Lou” (View Festival Tower), was built during the Guangxu era. The entire structure is situated on a high platform with a broad northern view. It was specially built for Empress Dowager Cixi to watch the annual temple fair outside the northern wall of the Summer Palace.

Miaojue Si (Temple of Sublime Enlightenment) – Built during the Qianlong era, it is the smallest temple in the Summer Palace, consisting of a mountain gate, enclosing walls, flagpoles, and the main hall. It originally housed the statue of the “Sincere Salvation Buddha.”

Suzhou Street: Originally called Mai Mai Jie (Market Street), it was built during the Qianlong era to imitate the water towns of the Jiangnan region. It was a water street exclusively for the Qing emperors and empresses to stroll and shop. The street is over 300 meters long, with water serving as the “street” and the banks as the “market.” Along the banks, there are more than 60 shops including teahouses, restaurants, pharmacies, banks, hat stores, jewelry shops, and dessert shops, showcasing the commercial culture of 18th-century Jiangnan, China.

Hua Zhong You (Painting-Within-a-Painting Tower) – Built during the Qianlong era, it was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860 and rebuilt during the Guangxu era. It is an important scenic structure on the western side of Longevity Hill, featuring a central octagonal two-story pavilion, flanked by two towers and two pavilions on the east and west, with a white marble memorial archway and a three-room small hall at the back, all connected by climbing corridors. As the buildings are constructed along the hillside, offering a vast view, strolling along the corridors makes one feel as if in a painting—thus the name “Painting-Within-a-Painting Tower.”

Xieqiu Xuan (Autumn Writing Pavilion) is a group of buildings on the eastern side of the front hill of Longevity Hill. The main hall has three bays and is built on a high platform, with climbing corridors connecting the side pavilions “Guan Shengyi” (Observing Vitality) and “Xun Yun” (Seeking Clouds). Nestled within the hills, this pavilion offers a quiet and elegant setting, making it a perfect spot to appreciate autumn scenery.

Address: Inside the Summer Palace, No. 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Type: Mountain

Recommended visiting time: 30–60 minutes

Opening hours:

April 1 – October 31: 6:30–18:00; November 1 – March 31 of the following year: 7:00–17:00.

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Summer Palace admission, valid with the general Summer Palace ticket.

Summer Palace

Yulan Tang (Jade Ripples Hall)

Kunming Lake

Tower of Buddhist Incense in the Summer Palace

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

Ren Shou Dian (Hall of Benevolent Longevity)

Beijing Stone Boat