Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is an imperial palace and garden complex in Haidian District, Beijing, covering roughly 290 hectares with an artificial lake and a wooded hill. Kunming Lake occupies about three quarters of the grounds, while Longevity Hill rises some 60 meters (around 200 feet) above the water surface.

Emperor Qianlong commissioned this residence in 1750 to celebrate his mother's birthday, and the project reached completion in 1764. The complex suffered destruction by foreign troops in the 19th century and was later restored.

The name Longevity Hill references long life and reflects a wish for health, while many structures carry paintings from classical Chinese novels. Visitors today follow the same lakeside paths once reserved for the imperial family and see the painted roofs and gilded ornaments in the traditional style.

The complex opens daily from 6:30, so visitors can stroll through the gardens in the morning or afternoon and explore the hall and pavilions. Boats run on the lake, and the covered corridor provides shade in warm weather.

Soil excavated from creating the artificial Kunming Lake was used to build up Longevity Hill, forming the two main landscape features. The long covered corridor displays more than 14,000 hand-painted scenes on ceilings and beams.

Location: Haidian District

Inception: January 1, 1873

Operator: 北京市颐和园管理处

Part of: China's Four Great Gardens

Address: 新建宫门路

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 06:30-18:00

Phone: +861062881144

Website: https://summerpalace-china.com/English

GPS coordinates: 39.99750,116.26890

Latest update: December 16, 2025 18:34