Enchanting China (Beijing, Xian and Chengdu) : Day 3 – Summer Palace

This was our last place to visit at Beijing…

ii) Summer Palace (Yiheyuan),

The Summer Palace in northwest Beijing, is said to be the best-preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in China. It is only a short drive of 15km from central Beijing, but it seems like another world. The Summer Palace was listed as World Heritage in 1998. UNESCO reported that the Summer Palace is "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design”.

The Summer Palace is known as the ‘Imperial Garden Museum’ in China as its purpose now as the preservation of national heritage material. Just as its name implies, previously it was used to be the private garden for Royal families of Qing Dynasty to decamp during the hot summer days. It has assembled almost the best design, skill and classic features of traditional gardening architecture of ancient China.

Address:
19 Xin Jian Gong Men Rd, Haidian District, Beijing 100084

Direction:
- Via North Gate: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station. Take Exit D. Walk west for 3mins.
- Via East Gate: Take Subway Line 4 or Line 16 to to Xiyuan Station and leave from Exit C2. Walk west about 15mins.
- Via West Gate: Take Subway Line 10 to Bagou Station. Then take Western Suburban Line to Yiheyuanximen Station. Walk north for 4mins.

Entrance Fee:
Apr to Oct: RMB 30 / Nov to Mar: RMB 20

Operating Hour:
6.30am–6pm (Apr.–Oct)
7:00am–5pm (Nov.–Mar)


The Summer Palace’s largest features are Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.

Longevity Hill
Located at the north of the Summer Palace, accounting for about a quarter of the whole garden. Most palaces and gardens were built along the north–south axis of Longevity Hill. These palaces fall into several sections, each with its own distinct character, some meant for administration, some living, and others relaxation. People usually divide Longevity Hill into the ‘front hill’ area and ‘back hill’ area.


Kunming Lake
It takes up three quarters of the whole garden and is dotted with several small islands. These small islands also host some halls and pavilions. Famous attractions amongst this area are numerous, including Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Bronze Ox, Nanhu Island, Hall of Embracing the Universe, Spacious Pavilion, Pavilion of Bright Scenery, Marble Boat, Suzhou Market Street, etc. Apart from Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, there are over a hundred scenic spots, more than 20 courtyards and 3,000 ancient structures, and 1,600 trees over a hundred years old. 290 hectares (717 acres) Summer Palace Attractions Palaces, halls, pavilions, the long corridor, and the marble boat are the main things to see in the Summer Palace gardens. The Summer Palace Tour Route: Beigongmen → Suzhou Street→ Longevity Hill → Kunming Lake → the Marble Boat → the Long Corridor→ Paiyun Dian → the Tower of Buddhist Incense → Hall of Longevity and Happiness → Wenchangyuan Garden → Renshoudian→ Donggongmen Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) It is the main building of the Summer Palace complex, built halfway up the front of Longevity Hill. Empress Dowager Cixi went there every month to worship Buddha. Hall of Dispelling Clouds (Paiyundian) This was the Summer Palace’s main place for Empress Dowager Cixi to receive guests, host grand ceremonies, and celebrate her birthday. Like the Tower of Buddhist Incense, it is located on the central axis of the ‘front hill’ area. The Long Corridor The paths beside the lake lead you under shady trees, or along the roofed colonnade known as the Long Corridor, with its magnificently painted ceilings. Bridges, boats, willows, lotus flowers, and other attractive landscaping make this a pleasant place to soak up the atmosphere and lovely views. Facing Kunming Lake, it's 728 meters (2,388 feet) long. In 1992, it was recognized as the longest corridor in the world and listed in "The Book of Guinness World Records". The Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Deheyuan) It was built as a theater for the Empress Dowager Cixi. The three-story theater stage is the biggest and best-preserved wooden stage in China. Famous Beijing opera actors of the Qing Dynasty would come to perform for the Empress Dowager and the stage was regarded as the "Cradle of Beijing Opera". Sea of Wisdom (Zhihuihai) It is located on the peak of Longevity Hill. The outer layer of the building is decorated with exquisite yellow and green glazed tiles. Suzhou Street Suzhou Market Street recreates a selection of traditional riverside shops (as would have been found in Suzhou), many of which can only be reached by boat. The story goes that former Emperors, or their concubines, used to enjoy 'pretend-shopping', as normally everything was bought for them. The Marble Boat The Marble Boat, at the northern edge of the lake, is a decorative building that imitates a real boat. Erected in 1755, it is the only Western-style structure in the park, inlaid with colorful glass windows and wheels, and paved with colored bricks. Kunming Lake and 17-Hole Bridge Kunming Lake, in the center of the park, takes up about 75% of the park. Boating on Kunming Lake is highly recommended. It takes about 10 minutes and gives a tranquil and relaxing break away from the crowds of tourists confined to the pathways. The boating fee is not included in the entrance fee. The famous 17-hole bridge spans between Nanhu (‘South Lake’) Island and the east bank. The bridge is 150 meters (490 ft) long, and is curved like a long rainbow frame above the blue water.