Plan your Beijing touron your first trip to Beijing? The Summer Palace is worth your visit that you cannot afford to miss. The Summer Palace is located about 19km to the northwest of Beijing city center (Tiananmen Square). It is easily accessed by subway line 4 and a few bus lines. ||
The Summer Palace was listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in December 1998. It was crowned as “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design”. The whole palace is designed and spreaded as a huge Chinese garden dominated by the Kunming Lake and the Longevity Hill.
The Summer Palace features a rich variety of Chinese gardens, corridors, palaces, pavilions, other classical-style architectural buildings. Now it has become a popular tourist attraction and a recreational park as well.
There are a few walking routes to visit the Summer Palace since it has four entrance gates. For more information on how to visit the Summer Palace, please visit the page of Tips for visiting Summer Palace.
Well, follow me to visit the Summer Palace through the New Palace Gate (south gate), then back to the New Palace Gate, a loop tour of the Summer Palace. Check the Summer Palace Map while sitting on a bench for a good view of the lake and the longevity hill.
Walk along the East Dyke of Kunming Lake and move on to the core of the Summer Palace.
Walk along the East Dyke of Kunming Lake and move on to the core of the Summer Palace.
On the route, visit the Wenchang Gallery that is the largest gallery of its kind in the Chinese classical gardens.
On the route, visit the Wenchang Gallery that is the largest gallery of its kind in the Chinese classical gardens.
The green lotus leaves hold the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
The green lotus leaves hold the Tower of Buddhist Incense
View the Wenchang Gallery in a distance sandwiched by willows and pines
View the Wenchang Gallery in a distance sandwiched by willows and pines
The former Court Area (the East Palace Gate, the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity…)
The former Court Area (the East Palace Gate, the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
A good spot to take a photo of the Summer Palace
A good spot to take a photo of the Summer Palace
Amazed by the mesmerizing Kunming Lake
Amazed by the mesmerizing Kunming Lake
The total length of the Long Corridor is 728 meters, the longest corridor in the world.
The total length of the Long Corridor is 728 meters, the longest corridor in the world.
Decorated Paifang in Summer Palace
Decorated Paifang in Summer Palace
The Tower of Buddhist Incense atop the Longevity Hill, is the highest building in the Summer Palace.
The Tower of Buddhist Incense atop the Longevity Hill, is the highest building in the Summer Palace.
The Cloud-Dispelling Hall on the slope of the Longevity Hill
The Cloud-Dispelling Hall on the slope of the Longevity Hill
The 7 animals on the eaves of the The Cloud-Dispelling Hall
The 7 animals on the eaves of the The Cloud-Dispelling Hall
A panoramic view of the Summer Palace on the platform below the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
A panoramic view of the Summer Palace on the platform below the Tower of Buddhist Incense
Longevity Hill is accompanied by a group of buildings
Longevity Hill is accompanied by a group of buildings
Boats are dotted on the Kunming Lake against the backdrop of the CCTV Tower.
Boats are dotted on the Kunming Lake against the backdrop of the CCTV Tower.
The Summer Palace is an oasis in the cement jungle of Beijing.
The Summer Palace is an oasis in the cement jungle of Beijing.
The Marble Boat “docked” at the end of the Long Corridor in the Summer Palace.
The Marble Boat docked at the end of the Long Corridor in the Summer Palace.
The ferry boat leaves from the pier at the Marble Boat in Summer Palace
The ferry boat leaves from the pier at the Marble Boat in Summe Palace
Inside the sightseeing ferry boat
Inside the sightseeing ferry boat
The ferry boats shuttle between the piers at the Marble Boat and the 17-Arch Bridge. A close look at the Cloud-Dispelling Hall and the Tower of Buddhist Incense on the slope of the Longevity Hill
A close look at the Cloud-Dispelling Hall and the Tower of Buddhist Incense
Look at Kunming Lake towards Yuquan Hill with Yu Feng Pagoda
Look at Kunming Lake towards Yuquan Hill with Yu Feng Pagoda
An ancient bronze ox is said to help prevent flooding. Back to the starting point
Back to the starting point
Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Beijing guided tours:
