The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden existing in China and one of the Four Great Classical Gardens of China (the other three being the Mountain Resort in Chengde, the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou). Located in Haidian District, Beijing, about 15 kilometers from downtown Beijing, it covers an area of approximately 290 hectares. Built on the bases of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill and modeled after the scenery of West Lake in Hangzhou, it incorporates certain design techniques and artistic concepts of gardens in southern China. It is a large natural landscape garden and also the most completely preserved imperial garden and palace complex, often referred to as a museum of imperial gardens.

The Summer Palace (Summer Palace) was originally the imperial garden and summer resort of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Its predecessor was the Garden of Clear Ripples, which was the last of the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" to be built (the Three Hills refer to Longevity Hill, Fragrant Hills, and Jade Spring Hill. The three hills respectively host the three gardens: Garden of Clear Ripples, Garden of Tranquil Comfort, and Garden of Tranquil Clarity, along with the nearby Garden of Flourishing Spring and the Old Summer Palace, collectively known as the Five Gardens). Construction began in 1750 and was completed in 1764, covering an area of 290 hectares, with water surfaces accounting for about three-quarters of the total area.

Before Emperor Qianlong ascended the throne, four large imperial gardens had already been built in the western suburbs of Beijing. From Haidian to Fragrant Hills, these four gardens operated independently with little organic connection between them, leaving the “Wan Shan Pool” (Kunming Lake) in between as an open, undeveloped area. In the 15th year of Qianlong’s reign (1750), Emperor Qianlong, in honor of his mother Empress Xiaoshengxian, spent 4.48 million taels of silver to rebuild the area into the Garden of Clear Ripples. Using this garden as the center, he connected the four surrounding gardens into a unified whole, forming a 20-kilometer-long imperial garden district stretching from what is now Tsinghua Garden to Fragrant Hills.

In the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign (1860), the Garden of Clear Ripples was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces. In the 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888), Empress Dowager Cixi, under the pretext of raising funds for the navy (experts have verified that the actual amount was between 5 and 6 million taels of silver), oversaw the reconstruction led by the seventh-generation master of the Lei family architectural dynasty, Lei Tingchang. The garden was renamed the Summer Palace and served as a summer retreat.

By the 26th year of the Guangxu reign (1900), the Summer Palace was again damaged by the Eight-Nation Alliance, with many treasures looted. It was restored in the 29th year of the Guangxu reign (1903). Later, during the warlord era and subsequent periods of turmoil, it suffered further damage. After 1949, the government continuously allocated funds for renovations. On March 4, 1961, the Summer Palace was announced as one of the first batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites. In November 1998, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On May 8, 2007, it was officially approved by the National Tourism Administration as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction. In 2009, it was recognized by the China World Records Association as the largest existing imperial garden in China. The Summer Palace holds numerous world and China records.

The Summer Palace Map

Optimized time-based touring routes for entering through different gates of the Summer Palace:

I. Entering through the East Palace Gate:

East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Marble Boat >> Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area >> Ruyi Gate. (Approximately 3-hour tour)

East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Marble Boat >> Take a boat to South Lake Island >> Seventeen-Arch Bridge >> Bronze Ox >> New Palace Gate. (Approximately 2.5-hour tour)

East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Marble Boat >> Suzhou Street >> North Palace Gate. (Approximately 2-hour tour)

East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Suzhou Street >> Hall of Tranquil Mind >> Garden of Harmonious Interest >> East Palace Gate. (Approximately 2.5-hour tour)

II. Entering through the North Palace Gate:

North Palace Gate >> Suzhou Street >> Four Great Regions >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Long Corridor >> Marble Boat >> Take a boat to South Lake Island >> Seventeen-Arch Bridge >> Bronze Ox >> Eastern Dyke of Kunming Lake >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> East Palace Gate. (Approximately 3-hour tour)

North Palace Gate >> Suzhou Street >> Hall of Tranquil Mind >> Garden of Harmonious Interest >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Marble Boat >> Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area >> Ruyi Gate. (Approximately 2.5-hour tour)

North Palace Gate >> Suzhou Street >> Marble Boat >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Sea of Wisdom Temple >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> East Palace Gate. (Approximately 2-hour tour)

III. Entering through the New Palace Gate:

New Palace Gate >> Eastern Dyke of Kunming Lake >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Suzhou Street >> North Palace Gate. (Approximately 2.5-hour tour)

New Palace Gate >> South Lake Island >> Seventeen-Arch Bridge >> Bronze Ox >> Take a boat to Marble Boat >> Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area >> Suzhou Street >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Tower of Buddhist Incense >> Long Corridor >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Hall of Jade Ripples & Hall of Joyful Longevity >> Wenchang Gallery >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> East Palace Gate. (Approximately 3-hour tour)

More Services

1. Barrier-Free Service Facilities

(1) Barrier-Free Toilets –

The Summer Palace currently has 25 toilets, among which there are 6 independent barrier-free toilets located at Yangyunxuan, Banbi Bridge, South Entrance of West Dyke, South Lake Island, Southern Farming and Weaving Picture Area, and Northern Farming and Weaving Picture Area; all other toilets are equipped with barrier-free facilities. For specific distribution, please refer to the map.

(2) Barrier-Free Ramps –

Location: The Summer Palace has two circular barrier-free pathways. One starts at the East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Zhichun Pavilion >> Eastern Dyke >> Xiayi Bridge >> Changguan Hall and West Gate >> West Side of West Dyke Lakeside Road >> Banbi Bridge >> Marble Boat >> Long Corridor >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> back to the East Palace Gate. The other starts at the East Palace Gate >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> Hall of Longevity & Health >> Long Corridor >> Marble Boat >> Suyunyan Watchtower >> Rear Mountain Central Imperial Road passing through the Lilac Courtyard, Songtang, and Hall of Tranquil Mind >> Garden of Harmonious Interest >> Alley on the east side of Garden of Virtue and Harmony >> Hall of Benevolence and Longevity >> back to the East Palace Gate.

(3) Barrier-Free Telephones –

Quantity: 3 locations: south of Renshou Gate, north of Jilan Hall, inside North Ruyi Gate

2. Nine Free Services

(1) Video consultation provided via electronic display screens at three main park gates (Donggongmen, Beigongmen, and Xinjian Gongmen)

(2) First aid kits, sewing kits, and wheelchairs available at seven gates (Donggongmen, Wenchangyuan Gate, Beigongmen, Beiruyi Gate, Xinjian Gongmen, Nanruyi Gate, and Ximen) and at the Visitor Service Center

Note: The Visitor Service Center is located outside Donggongmen of the Summer Palace. Contact number: 62881144-6831

(3) Free toilet paper and hand sanitizer provided in restrooms

(4) Tourist information, promotional materials, and clean drinking water available at the Visitor Center

3. Park Visiting Services

(1) Ticket purchasing services at the gates

Tickets can be purchased at all seven gates of the Summer Palace, with card payment available at Donggongmen, Beigongmen, and Xinjian Gongmen

(2) Boat rental services

Boat types: painted pleasure boats, dragon boats, rowboats, electric boats, and pedal boats

Number of boats: 10 painted pleasure boats and dragon boats combined, 175 pedal boats, 26 rowboats, 89 electric boats

Boat ferry routes:

Paiyun Hall ↔ South Lake Island; Stone Boat ↔ South Lake Island; Bronze Ox ↔ Stone Boat

Ferry boat fare: 15 RMB per person

Small boat rental locations:

1. Bafang Pavilion (rowboats, pedal boats)

2. Wenchang Pavilion (electric boats, pedal boats)

3. Yulantang (pedal boats)

4. Paiyun Hall (electric boats, pedal boats)

5. Yuzaoxuan (electric boats, pedal boats)

Small boat rental prices:

Rowboats: 60 RMB/hour (4 seats)

Pedal boats: 60 RMB/hour (4 seats); 80 RMB/hour (6 seats)

Electric boats: 80 RMB/hour (4 seats); 120 RMB/hour (6 seats)

Boat operating hours:

Dragon boats and painted pleasure boats: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Rowboats, electric boats, and pedal boats: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Note: Services will be suspended in case of wind force level 4 or above.

Friendly reminder: In early spring, the water temperature of Kunming Lake is still relatively low. It is recommended that visitors rent boats for 1–2 hours. Elderly people and children should pay attention to safety when boarding or disembarking.

Inquiry phone: 62881144-6316

(3) Wheelchair Rental Service

The wheelchair service in the Summer Palace is free of charge. Service areas include seven entrance gates (East Palace Gate, Wenchangyuan Gate, North Palace Gate, North Ruyi Gate, New Palace Gate, South Ruyi Gate, and West Gate) and the Visitor Service Center. Visitors can use a wheelchair free of charge after paying a deposit of 500 yuan. After the tour, the wheelchair can be returned at any service gate area, and the 500-yuan deposit will be refunded.

(4) Dining and Shopping Services

There are three fast food kiosks in the park, located at Zhichun Pavilion, East Nine Rooms of Paiyun Hall, and Shizhang Pavilion, mainly offering meals and noodles. Additionally, there is a time-honored Chinese restaurant specializing in imperial cuisine—Tingli Pavilion. Its main branch is near the Marble Boat; walk to the end of the Long Corridor to find it. A branch is located at the South Ruyi Gate, where you can enjoy food with “imperial flavors.” Dining hours are generally from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

There are three specialty shops in the park. They are: the Ren Shou Gate South Hall Arts and Crafts Shop near the East Palace Gate, the South Nine Qing West Three Rooms Arts and Crafts Shop outside Ren Shou Gate, and the Paiyun Hall Arts and Crafts Shop at the entrance of Paiyun Hall.

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Top Ten World Cultural Heritage Sites in China

· Top 50 Existing Ancient Architectures in China

· First Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites

Yulan Hall

Longevity Hill

Kunming Lake

Buddha Fragrance Pavilion in the Summer Palace

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

Ren Shou Hall

Beijing Marble Boat