Kunming Lake, Reservoir at Summer Palace, Beijing, China
The lake spans 2.2 square kilometers and encompasses three quarters of the Summer Palace grounds with an average depth of 1.5 meters.
In 1291, engineer Guo Shoujing transformed this water body into a reservoir for the Yuan Dynasty capital, before its conversion into imperial gardens.
The lake design follows Chinese garden principles of 'one pond, three hills', with three islands representing different aspects of traditional architecture.
Visitors can explore the lake through boat rides or walk along the eastern and western dams that provide viewpoints of the water.
During lake dredging operations in 1990, workers discovered 205 Japanese bombs from World War II beneath the water surface.
Location: Beijing
GPS coordinates: 39.99075,116.26713
Latest update: May 12, 2025 11:59
Summer Palace
766 m
Old Summer Palace
2.8 km
Marble Boat
736 m
Jingtai Tomb
2.9 km
China National Botanical Garden
4.9 km
Xiyang Lou
4.1 km
Jade Belt Bridge
557 m
Boya Pagoda
3.3 km
Tower of Buddhist Incense
1.1 km
Tsinghua School
5.1 km
Haidian Christian Church
3.1 km
Chengzeyuan
2.8 km
Baiwangshan Forest Park
4.8 km
Jingming Garden
2.1 km
Zhengjue Temple
3.2 km
Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology at Peking University
3.4 km
Tsinghua University Observatory
4.1 km
Main Library North Section
4.6 km
Main Library West Section
4.5 km
Hailong Market
4.2 km
Xiding Temple
3.8 km
IBCAS Beijing Botanical Garden
5.1 km
Deheyuan
1.4 km
Haidian Mosque
3.1 km
Beijing Haidian Teachers Training College
3.9 km
Haidian Park
2.1 km
Haidian Museum
4.2 km
Beijing Medical Plants Garden
4.7 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes