Beijing Stone Boat

Beijing Stone Boat

The image of a "boat" (舫) resembles an actual vessel, built by the water and representing the most charming structure in a classical Chinese garden.

In Chinese gardens, where there is water, there is often a boat. Since the boat is made of stone, there’s no worry of it drifting away like a wooden boat, nor is there a need to tie it with ropes. Therefore, these stone boats often bear the inscription “Unmoored Boat” (不系舟). An ancient poem says, “At a deserted ford, no one in sight, a boat lies across the stream at will” — truly one of the most exquisite quatrains under Chinese culture. Chinese culture values subtlety; things are meant to be pondered upon rather than stated outright as in Western cultures. Building a stone boat in a garden is not merely to demonstrate that the water is flowing and suitable for boating.

The Stone Boat at the Summer Palace in Beijing, also known as the Qingyan Boat, is located at the northwest part of Kunming Lake, on the western shore of Longevity Hill. It was built in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1755). The hull is carved from huge stones and is 36 meters in length. The upper two levels consist of white wooden structures, all painted to resemble marble patterns, with brick carvings adorning the roof—exquisite and luxurious. It is a renowned aquatic architectural treasure within the Summer Palace.

The original cabin structure on the boat was designed in traditional Chinese architectural style, but it was burned down during the invasion of the Anglo-French Allied Forces. In the 19th year of the Guangxu reign (1893), following Empress Dowager Cixi's instructions, the original Chinese-style cabin was rebuilt into a Western-style structure, featuring windows inlaid with stained glass of various colors. It remains the only building in the garden with Western architectural elements.

Located by Weiming Lake in the Yan Garden of Peking University, this area is known as Shuchun Garden, which was once part of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). Emperor Qianlong granted this garden to Heshen. In the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign, the Anglo-French Allied Forces set fire to the Old Summer Palace, and Shuchun Garden was also damaged. Only the base of the stone boat and the Linfeng Daiyue Tower (临风待月楼), the former site of today’s Linhu Pavilion (临湖轩), remain.

Between 1985 and 1992, the site of Biyou Tianjing (别有洞天) underwent comprehensive restoration of its mountain contours and waterways, along with environmental greening efforts. The base of the stone boat and the Western Hills Four-Square Pavilion were successively repaired. Today, the base of the stone boat can still be found at the site.

Summer Palace

Hall of Jade Ripples

Longevity Hill

Kunming Lake

Buddha Fragrance Pavilion at the Summer Palace

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

Hall of Benevolent Longevity