Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, featuring a harmonious blend of natural landscapes and architectural masterpieces. This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases traditional Chinese garden design with its lake, hills, pavilions, and corridors.

Originally built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current layout dates from 1888 when Empress Dowager Cixi used navy funds to reconstruct it. The garden represents the pinnacle of Chinese landscape architecture and imperial garden design.

• Take a boat ride on Kunming Lake for the best views
• Walk the Long Corridor to admire its painted ceiling
• Visit the Marble Boat and Longevity Hill
• Allow 3-4 hours to fully explore the complex
• Visit during sunset for spectacular views over the lake