Beijing Summer Palace Guide - Garden Routes, Boat Rides, and Photo Spots

The Summer Palace - China Crown Jewel of Imperial Gardens

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan, 颐和园) is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, and one of the finest examples of Chinese garden design in the world. Covering 290 hectares, with Kunming Lake occupying three-quarters of the area, the palace is a harmonious blend of natural landscape and human artistry. Mountains, water, pavilions, bridges, corridors, and temples are arranged according to the principles of Chinese garden aesthetics, creating a series of ever-changing vistas that have inspired artists and poets for centuries.

Originally built in 1750 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, the Summer Palace was largely destroyed during the Second Opium War in 1860 and subsequently rebuilt by the Empress Dowager Cixi in 1888. Cixi famously diverted funds intended for the navy to finance the reconstruction, a decision that contributed to China naval weakness in the First Sino-Japanese War. Today, the Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Beijing most popular attractions, welcoming over 10 million visitors annually.

Key Areas and Attractions

The East Palace Gate Area

The East Palace Gate is the main entrance for most visitors and the most convenient starting point for your tour. Just inside the gate, you will find the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, which served as the throne room where the emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi received officials and foreign diplomats. The hall contains the original throne, screens, and incense burners used during the Qing Dynasty. The large bronze statues in the courtyard, including a mythical creature called a qilin, are impressive examples of Qing Dynasty metalwork.

The Long Corridor

The Long Corridor is one of the most remarkable features of the Summer Palace, stretching 728 meters along the northern shore of Kunming Lake. It is the longest covered wooden corridor in the world, with 273 sections connected by crossbeams. The ceiling and beams are decorated with over 14,000 paintings depicting scenes from Chinese mythology, folk tales, landscapes, and flowers and birds. No two paintings are alike. Walking along the corridor provides sheltered views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, making it enjoyable in any weather.

Longevity Hill and the Tower of Buddhist Incense

Longevity Hill (Wanshou Shan) rises 60 meters above Kunming Lake and is the focal point of the Summer Palace landscape. The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge), perched at the top of the hill, is the tallest and most prominent building in the palace complex. This 41-meter-tall octagonal tower with triple eaves was built to honor the Buddha and served as a place of worship for the imperial family. The climb to the top rewards you with panoramic views of Kunming Lake, the Western Hills, and the entire palace grounds. The view is particularly spectacular at sunset when the lake reflects the golden light.

Kunming Lake

Kunming Lake is the heart of the Summer Palace, and experiencing the palace from the water is essential. The lake was created by expanding an existing body of water and using the excavated earth to build Longevity Hill, a brilliant example of landscape engineering. The lake is dotted with islands connected by elegant bridges, and the western shore offers views of the distant mountains that are "borrowed" into the garden design, a technique known as "borrowed scenery" (jiejing) in Chinese garden theory.

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge and South Lake Island

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is a 150-meter-long stone bridge connecting the eastern shore to South Lake Island. The bridge is decorated with 544 stone lions in different poses, more than the famous Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge). South Lake Island contains the Dragon King Temple, where the imperial family prayed for rain. The view from the island looking back toward Longevity Hill is one of the most photographed scenes in the Summer Palace.

The Marble Boat

The Marble Boat is one of the most unusual and controversial structures in the Summer Palace. Built of stone with marble decorations, this two-story pavilion in the shape of a Western-style paddle steamer was originally built by the Qianlong Emperor and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi using navy funds. It has become a symbol of the extravagance and mismanagement that contributed to the decline of the Qing Dynasty.

Suzhou Street

Suzhou Street is a recreation of a traditional Chinese commercial street, modeled after the canal-side shops of Suzhou. Built for the amusement of the imperial family, who would have eunuchs and maids dress as shopkeepers and merchants, the street features shops, tea houses, and restaurants along a narrow canal. Today, the shops sell souvenirs, snacks, and traditional crafts. It requires a separate ticket (20 CNY) but is worth visiting for its unique atmosphere.

Boat Rides on Kunming Lake

Taking a boat ride on Kunming Lake is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the Summer Palace. Several options are available:

• Large ferry boats: Operate between the main docks and South Lake Island. Cost: about 20 CNY per person one way. These run regularly during operating hours.

• Electric boats: Self-drive electric boats that seat 4 to 6 people. Cost: about 80 to 120 CNY per hour. These allow you to explore the lake at your own pace.

• Rowing boats: Traditional rowing boats for 4 people. Cost: about 60 to 80 CNY per hour. Available from March to November.

• Dragon boats: Large decorated boats that offer guided tours of the lake. Cost: about 40 CNY per person.

Boat rides are available from April to October (weather permitting). The lake is frozen in winter and boats do not operate, but the ice becomes a popular skating area.

Best Photo Spots

1. Seventeen-Arch Bridge at sunset: The bridge glows golden in the evening light, with Longevity Hill in the background.

2. Long Corridor: The painted beams and columns create beautiful patterns, especially with the lake visible through the openings.

3. Tower of Buddhist Incense from below: Looking up at the tower from the hillside creates a dramatic perspective.

4. Kunming Lake from Longevity Hill: The panoramic view of the lake with the Western Hills beyond is breathtaking.

5. The Marble Boat: The contrast of the stone boat against the water and sky makes for interesting compositions.

6. South Lake Island looking toward Longevity Hill: The classic Summer Palace postcard view.

Visiting Information

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (April to October), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March). Main attractions close one hour earlier than the park.

Ticket Prices: Park entry: 30 CNY (peak) / 20 CNY (off-peak). Through ticket: 60 CNY (peak) / 50 CNY (off-peak). The through ticket includes the Dehe Garden, Tower of Buddhist Incense, and Suzhou Street.

Getting There: Take subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station (North Palace Gate) or Xiyuan Station (East Palace Gate). The East Palace Gate is recommended for first-time visitors as it provides the most logical route through the palace.

Recommended Visit Routes

Half-Day Route (3-4 hours)

Enter through the East Palace Gate, visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, walk along the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, take a boat ride to South Lake Island, walk across the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and exit through the East Palace Gate.

Full-Day Route (5-6 hours)

Follow the half-day route, then add the Marble Boat, the western shore walk, Suzhou Street, and the Back Lake area. The full route covers the entire palace complex and provides a comprehensive experience.

Practical Tips

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the palace grounds are vast and involve significant walking.

• Bring water and snacks, as food options inside are limited and expensive.

• Visit on a weekday to avoid the worst crowds.

• Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography and the fewest crowds.

• In summer, bring sunscreen and a hat; the lake area is fully exposed to the sun.

• In winter, the frozen lake and snow-covered pavilions create a magical atmosphere, but dress very warmly.

• Consider hiring a guide or using the audio guide (40 CNY) for historical context.

The Summer Palace is a place of extraordinary beauty that changes with every season and every hour of the day. Whether you are strolling along the Long Corridor, boating on Kunming Lake, or gazing at the mountains from the top of Longevity Hill, you are experiencing a landscape that has delighted emperors and commoners alike for over 250 years. Take your time, wander freely, and let the garden reveal its many wonders.