The Summer Palace Travel Guide
Highlights, History & Visitor Information
The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden in Beijing and a summer palace built by the Qing Dynasty, China's last dynasty. It is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is praised for its beauty as a "garden museum." Its total area is approximately 290 hectares, three-quarters of which is occupied by Kunming Lake, with the remaining land area consisting of Wanshou Mountain. The garden, which was modeled after West Lake in Hangzhou, is characterized by a landscape that harmonizes nature and man-made elements, and is also known as "Beijing's Oasis," where visitors can relax away from the hustle and bustle of Beijing.
1. Main Highlights
🏞️ Attractions by area
The Summer Palace is mainly divided into three areas: the front mountain area of Wanshou Mountain, Kunming Lake, and the rear mountain and rear lake area.
• Manjusan front mountain:
Fo Xiang Pavilion: This octagonal tower, the symbol of the Summer Palace, stands on the slopes of Wanshou Mountain. It offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Kunming Lake area.
Long Corridor: Stretching 728 meters along the northern shore of Lake Kunming, this is the longest promenade in China. The ceilings and beams are decorated with over 14,000 colorful paintings, often based on historical events from classics like "Journey to the West" and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." It's also known as the "Art Gallery."
• Kunming Lake:
o Stone Boat: A marble boat with a tower on Lake Kunming. It is said to have been used by Empress Dowager Cixi for banquets and to enjoy the scenery.
Seventeen Arch Bridge: This beautiful 17-arch bridge connects the eastern bank of Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island. The railings of the bridge are intricately carved with over 500 lions, large and small.
• Gosango Lake area:
Suzhou Street: A commercial street on both sides of the Back Lake that recreates the Jiangnan water town. It was built during the Qing dynasty as a "theme park" for the imperial court to enjoy the shopping experience of the citizens.
2. Historical Stories
👑 History and People Associated with the Summer Palace
• Empress Dowager Cixi and the Summer Palace: The current Summer Palace was originally built under the name Qingyi Garden, as a place for Empress Dowager Cixi to live in after retirement and to maintain political power. However, it was destroyed by British and French forces during the Arrow War in 1860. Empress Dowager Cixi even misappropriated military funds from the Beiyang Fleet to force its reconstruction, and renamed it the Summer Palace in 1893. This act is said to have contributed to the hastening decline of the Qing Dynasty.
• The legend of the "Lost Family Stone": The huge stone "Qingzhixiu" in front of the "Le Shou Hall" in the garden is also known as the "Lost Family Stone" (the stone that caused the family fortune to collapse). The story comes from the story of Mi Wanzhong, a Ming dynasty official, who tried to move the stone into his garden, but was unable to do so despite spending his vast fortune, and ended up bankrupt .
3. Useful Information Before Your Visit
Address：No. 19, Xinjianmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Opening Hours：April 1st - October 31st: 6:30am - 6:00pm (8:30am - 5:00pm in the inner garden)
November 1st - March 31st: 7:00-17:00 (9:00-16:00 in the inner garden)
Closed：The entire garden is open every day (however, please check during the Lunar New Year period). The inner garden (the paid area within the area) may be closed on Mondays.
Admission Tickets：There are two types of tickets available: an admission ticket and a combined ticket for both the park and the park. As there may be long lines during peak seasons, we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance online.
Moving around the park：Dragon boats (sightseeing boats on Kunming Lake) and electric boats are available.The most efficient way to get around the vast park is to take a boat across the lake.
4. Visiting Etiquette and Important Notes
• Comfortable walking in the vast park: The park is large, and it takes a considerable amount of time and distance to walk around all the sights. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
• Weather and sun protection: There are many areas in the park with little shade, so in the summer you'll need to take precautions such as wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Don't forget to stay hydrated.
• Crowd Information: It gets very crowded on weekends, public holidays, and during long holiday periods. We recommend visiting on weekdays in the morning if possible.
5. Pandaland Trip's Original Tour Services
At PandaLand Trip, we not only support smooth sightseeing in your native language, but also provide unique services that bring out the true charm of the Summer Palace.
• Efficient route planning: We will propose the most efficient and spectacular sightseeing route based on your wishes and physical strength. We can accommodate all your requests, whether you want to "visit the main tourist spots efficiently" or "enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace."
• In-depth commentary by an expert guide: Rather than simply explaining the scenery, we will provide an in-depth guided tour of the charm of the Summer Palace in your native language, weaving together history and culture, including stories about Empress Dowager Cixi, the meaning behind the architecture, and the stories behind the paintings on the corridors.
• Guidance on the best season to avoid crowds: We will introduce the different beauty of each season, such as cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter, and suggest tours for the season you would most like to visit.
• Memorable photo shoot service: Your guide will take the best commemorative photos at the spectacular views from the Buddha's Perch and other picturesque spots.
• Assurance support in your native language: From ticket purchases to guiding you around the park and advising on rest areas, we provide solid support in your native language throughout the tour.
Enjoy a relaxing and elegant time in the Imperial Gardens along with your Pandaland Trip!
