Absolute Asia/China/Summer Palace Beijing: Imperial Lakes and Quiet Gardens
Summer Palace Beijing: Imperial Lakes and Quiet Gardens
Discover the Summer Palace Beijing through imperial gardens, Kunming Lake, painted corridors and quieter landscapes beyond the city.
Quick Overview: Discover the Summer Palace Beijing through imperial gardens, Kunming Lake, painted corridors and quieter landscapes beyond the city.
The Summer Palace is the Qing court’s largest imperial garden, in Beijing’s northwest, built around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake on 297 hectares. It began as the Garden of Clear Ripples in 1750 and was rebuilt in the Guangxu reign. UNESCO listed it in 1998.
| Area | 297 hectares; Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake |
|---|---|
| Built | begun 1750 as Qingyi Garden; finished 1764 at a cost of over 4.8 million taels of silver |
| Burned | by Anglo-French forces in 1860; rebuilt under the Guangxu emperor |
| World Heritage | 2 December 1998 |
| Long Corridor | over 700 m |
| Lake model | the plan took Hangzhou’s West Lake as its model |
Why it was built
The Qianlong emperor ordered the lake dug in 1750, officially to improve water supply for the capital’s gardens and canal, and in practice for the 60th birthday of his mother. He renamed the West Lake Kunming Lake and heaped the earth into Longevity Hill. The garden’s plan followed the myth of three immortal islands in the sea, and it imitated sights from southern China: Phoenix Mound after Lake Tai, a shopping street after Suzhou, and a pavilion after the Yellow Crane Tower. It had almost no rooms for government or living, and Qianlong visited only for the day.
After 1860
Anglo-French forces burned the Garden of Clear Ripples in 1860, and it fell into decline until it was rebuilt in the Guangxu era as the Summer Palace.
Planning your visit
Plan half a day, and leave time for the Long Corridor and a walk up the hill for the view over the lake. Boats cross Kunming Lake, and the walk around it takes a while. Check opening hours and ticket rules on the official site. It is usually paired with the Forbidden City in a two-day Beijing plan; see our Beijing guide.
Visiting with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. We arrange guides, transfers and timing for this stop as part of a longer China itinerary. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 颐和园. Last checked November 2026.
Summer Palace: FAQ
When was the Summer Palace built?
The original garden was built from 1750 to 1764 and rebuilt after it was burned in 1860.
How big is the Summer Palace?
About 297 hectares.
Is the Summer Palace a World Heritage Site?
Yes, since 2 December 1998.
Why was Kunming Lake dug?
Officially to improve water supply, and for the Qianlong emperor’s mother’s 60th birthday.
How long does a visit take?
About half a day.
It is usually paired with the Forbidden City in a two-day Beijing plan; see our Beijing guide .
Further Reading
Journeys That Go There
