Summer Palace

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Spot Introduction

The Summer Palace, originally named the Clear Ripple Garden, was first built in the 15th year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1750). It is a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty and the most well-preserved royal palace garden. In 1998, it was listed in the “World Cultural Heritage List” and is known as the “Royal Garden Museum”. The garden is based on Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain, and is modeled after the West Lake in Hangzhou, drawing on the essence of Jiangnan gardens. It is hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese garden art.

The Summer Palace embodies the quintessence of Chinese classical garden art, skillfully employing the technique of “borrowing scenery” to integrate the peaks of the Western Hills into the garden landscape. The architectural layout within the garden is rigorous, exhibiting both the grandeur of a royal palace and the exquisite elegance of Jiangnan gardens. Structures such as the Long Corridor, the Stone Boat, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge each possess unique characteristics, showcasing the highest achievements of Qing Dynasty architectural art. As a paradigm of Chinese classical gardens, the Summer Palace is not only a precious cultural heritage but also an important material for studying ancient Chinese architecture and garden art.

Historical Evolution

  • Initial Construction Year: The 15th year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1750)
  • Important Milestones:
    • 1750: Emperor Qianlong expanded Kunming Lake and built the Clear Ripple Garden.
    • 1860: Destroyed by British and French forces.
    • 1888: Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt it using funds diverted from the navy.

景点介绍

  • Historical Events:
    • 1900: Occupied and damaged by the Eight-Nation Alliance
    • 1902: Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt it again
    • 1924: Opened as a public park
    • 1998: Listed as a World Cultural Heritage site
  • Historical Value:
    • Witnessed the historical changes in the late Qing Dynasty
    • Recorded the shift of the political center in the late Qing Dynasty
    • Showcased the art of garden architecture in the Qing Dynasty
    • Preserved a large number of precious cultural relics and historic sites

园林布局

  1. Overall Planning

    • Spatial Scale:

      • Total area: 290 hectares
      • Water area: 220 hectares (Kunming Lake)
      • Building area: over 70,000 square meters
      • Houses tens of thousands of cultural relics

    • Layout Features:

      • One of the “Three Hills and Five Gardens”
      • Follows the “front court, back bedroom” layout
      • Embodies the momentum of “mountains surrounding, water embracing”
      • Blends the characteristics of southern and northern gardens

  2. Architectural Art

    • Building Types:

      • Palace buildings: Renshou Hall, Yulan Hall, etc.
      • Religious buildings: Foxiang Pavilion, Zhihui Sea, etc.
      • Touring buildings: Long Corridor, Stone Boat, etc.
      • Living buildings: Leshou Hall, Deheyuan, etc.

    • Artistic Features:

      • Charm of Jiangnan gardens
      • Grandeur of northern architecture
      • Natural beauty of mountains and waters
      • Interest of cultural landscapes

  3. Cultural Connotation

    • Architectural Implication:

      • Integration of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism
      • Prayer for “happiness, longevity, health, and peace”
      • Thought of “harmony between nature and humanity”
      • Symbol of imperial authority

    • Artistic Value:

      • Architectural art: representative of the heyday of the Qing Dynasty
      • Garden art: a masterpiece of Chinese classical gardens
      • Cultural relics collection: a gathering of precious historical artifacts
      • Cultural inheritance: a witness to court life in the Qing Dynasty

  4. Natural Landscapes

    • Mountain Landscapes:

      • Wanshou Mountain: 59 meters high
      • Fengzeyuan: a garden within the garden
      • Foxiang Pavilion: a landmark building on the mountaintop
      • Back mountain scenic area: natural scenery

    • Water System Features:

      • Kunming Lake: occupying three-quarters of the park area
      • Houhu Lake: small and exquisite
      • Various bridges: 17 bridges
      • Embankment landscapes: Su Causeway, West Causeway

Must-see Attractions

  1. Foxiang Pavilion
    • Architectural Features:
      • 41 meters high, an octagonal three-story building
      • Entirely wooden structure, without a single nail
      • Resplendent and magnificent.

景点介绍

气势恢宏

  • 文化价值：

    • Representative of Tibetan Buddhist architecture
    • A royal Buddhist worship place in the Qing Dynasty
    • Where Empress Dowager Cixi worshiped

  • Visiting Suggestions:

    • Suggested visiting time: 40-60 minutes
    • Best time for photography: 9-11 am
    • Need to climb about 300 steps to reach the top

长廊

  • Architectural Scale:

    • Total length of 728 meters
    • 273 corridor bodies
    • More than 14,000 colored paintings

  • Artistic Features:

    • Rich themes in colored paintings
    • Each painting is unique
    • Narrating historical allusions

  • Visiting Tips:

    • Suggested visiting time: 40-60 minutes
    • Suitable for morning exercise and photography
    • A good place to take shelter from the rain and rest

昆明湖

  • Lake Features:

    • Covering an area of 220 hectares
    • Designed in imitation of the West Lake in Hangzhou
    • Embellished with three islands in the lake

  • Ways of Touring:

    • Sightseeing by boat (60-100 yuan/person)
    • Walking around the lake (about 2 hours)
    • Ice skating tour in winter

  • Best Experience:

    • Suggested tour time: 60-90 minutes
    • Enjoy the sunset in the evening
    • Appreciate lotus flowers in summer

苏州街

  • Historical Background:

    • Imitation of the water towns in Jiangnan
    • A royal shopping street in the Qing Dynasty
    • Showing the market life

  • Unique Experience:

    • Display of traditional handicrafts
    • Reproduction of ancient business culture
    • Boat tour experience available

  • Visiting Suggestions:

    • Suggested visiting time: 30-45 minutes
    • Can buy special souvenirs
    • Suitable for photography

玉澜堂

  • Architectural Features:

    • The royal study in the Qing Dynasty
    • A model of classical garden architecture
    • Exquisite interior decoration

  • Cultural Value:

    • Where Empress Dowager Cixi handled government affairs
    • Display of precious cultural relics
    • Showing the court life in the Qing Dynasty

  • Visiting Tips:

    • Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes
    • Need to change shoes before entering
    • No photography allowed

参观建议

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route
  • Classic Route (4 hours):
    • East Palace Gate → Renshou Hall → Deheyuan → Foxiang Pavilion → Long Corridor → Stone Boat → Suzhou Street
    • Suitable for first-time visitors.

景点介绍

了解主要景点

 * 体验皇家园林精华
  • 深度游览路线（6小时）：
    • 东宫门 → 仁寿殿 → 德和园 → 佛香阁 → 智慧海 → 长廊 → 石舫 → 苏州街 → 四大部洲
    • Ideal for culture lovers seeking a deep understanding of garden culture
    • Includes a wider range of cultural attractions

参观建议

参观时间安排

  • 旺季（4-10月）：

    • 最佳游览时间：8:00-10:00或15:00-17:00
    • Avoid the high temperatures of midday
    • Arrive 1 hour early on weekends and holidays

  • 淡季（11-3月）：

    • Recommended visiting time: 9:00-15:00
    • Experience ice activities in winter
    • Dress warmly due to the large temperature difference between morning and evening

季节特色

  • 春季（3-5月）：

    • Highlights: Blooming peach blossoms, crabapples, and peonies
    • Suggestion: Enjoy the flowers at the Long Corridor and Wanshou Mountain
    • Dress code: Bring a thin jacket and be mindful of pollen allergies

  • 夏季（6-8月）：

    • Highlights: Lotus flowers in full bloom, showcasing the garden’s beauty
    • Suggestion: Take a boat tour on Kunming Lake
    • Dress code: Wear sunscreen, a hat, and prepare heatstroke prevention supplies

  • 秋季（9-11月）：

    • Highlights: Red leaves, ginkgo, and chrysanthemums
    • Suggestion: View the red leaves at Wanshou Mountain
    • Dress code: Bring a thin jacket and wear comfortable sports shoes

  • 冬季（12-2月）：

    • Highlights: Snow scenery and ice rink activities
    • Suggestion: Enjoy ice skating on Kunming Lake
    • Dress code: Wear warm and anti-slip clothing.

Preparation for the Visit

Prepare warm patches (“Nuan Baobao” in Chinese, a kind of disposable body warmer)

Equipment for the Visit

  • Necessary Items:

    • Comfortable and non-slip sports shoes
    • Drinking water and snacks
    • Camera and power bank
    • Sunshade umbrella or rain umbrella

  • Seasonal Equipment:

    • Summer: Sunscreen, sun hat, mosquito repellent
    • Winter: Warm clothing, warm patches, non-slip shoe covers

  • Photographic Equipment:

    • Wide-angle lens: For panoramic views of the garden
    • Telephoto lens: For architectural details
    • Tripod: For sunset and architecture photography

Transportation Guide

  1. By Subway

  • Line 4:

    • Get off at the Summer Palace Station (West Gate)
    • Operating hours: 5:00-23:00
    • Recommended to enter through the West Gate

  • Line 16:

    • Get off at the Beigongmen Station (North Gate)
    • Operating hours: 5:30-22:30
    • Suitable for visiting the northern scenic area
  1. By Bus

  • East Gate:

    • Buses 303, 331, 346, 374, 437, 704, 992
    • Operating hours: 6:00-21:00
    • Fare: 2 yuan (cash) / 1 yuan (card)

  • Xinjian Gongmen (North Gate):

    • Buses 318, 362, 375, 384, 634, 683
    • Operating hours: 6:00-20:30
    • Suitable for visiting the Foxiang Pavilion area

  • West Gate:

    • Buses 469, 539, 601, 696, Te8
    • Operating hours: 6:00-21:00
    • Close to Subway Line 4
  1. By Car

  • Navigation Addresses:

    • East Gate: No.19, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
    • North Gate: No.19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing
    • West Gate: No.28, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing

  • Parking:

    • East Gate Parking: 300 spaces, 10 yuan/hour
    • Xinjian Gongmen Parking: 200 spaces, 10 yuan/hour
    • West Gate Parking: 150 spaces.

Attraction Introduction

10 yuan/hour

  • Driving Suggestions:
    • Avoid morning and evening peak hours.
    • Use public transportation during holidays.
    • Check surrounding road construction information ahead of time.
  1. Transportation within the Scenic Area

    • Battery-powered Sightseeing Car:

      • Fare: 10 yuan/segment
      • Operating Hours: 8:00-17:00
      • Multiple stops are available.

    • Boat Service:

      • Lake Tour: 60 yuan/person
      • One-way Tour: 40 yuan/person
      • Operating Hours: 8:30-16:30

    • Rental Services:

      • Wheelchair: Free (with deposit)
      • Electric Sightseeing Car: 100 yuan/hour
      • Bicycle: 40 yuan/2 hours

  1. Snack Street at the East Gate of the Summer Palace

    • Traditional Snacks:

      • Old Beijing Noodles with Soy Bean Paste: 15-20 yuan/bowl
      • Fermented Bean Soup: 5 yuan/bowl
      • Aiwowo (a kind of steamed rice cake with sweet bean paste): 8 yuan/portion

    • Recommended Shops:

      • Old Noodles with Soy Bean Paste at the East Gate of the Summer Palace: Open for 40 years, 25 yuan per person
        Address: No.18, Street Outside the East Gate of the Summer Palace
      • Old Beijing Snack Shop: Traditional flavor, 30 yuan per person
        Address: No.23 Jia, Summer Palace Road

  2. Food Street at the West Gate of Peking University

    • Specialty Restaurants:

      • Old Beijing Lamb Hotpot: Copper pot lamb hotpot, 120 yuan per person
        Address: No.45, West Gate Street, Peking University
      • Yannan Garden: Peking University’s time-honored brand, 80 yuan per person
        Address: Opposite the West Gate of Peking University

    • Student Food:

      • Various fast food: 20-30 yuan per person
      • Specialty snacks: 15-25 yuan per person
      • Noodles: 15-20 yuan per person

  3. Food Plaza at the West Gate of the Old Summer Palace

    • Chinese Restaurants:

      • Old Summer Palace Farmhouse: Specialty farm-style dishes, 60-80 yuan per person
        Address: No.18, Old Summer Palace West Road
      • Old Beijing Fried Liver Shop: Traditional breakfast, 20 yuan per person
        Address: No.2 Jia, Old Summer Palace West Road

    • Special Recommendations:

      • Peking Duck: Quality from a time-honored brand, 150 yuan per person
      • Hotpot: Available all seasons, 100 yuan per person
      • Pasta: Traditional handmade.

景点介绍

餐饮建议

  • 听鹂馆：

    • 位置：长廊附近
    • 特色：宫廷风格中餐
    • 价格：人均150-200元
    • 建议：提前预约

  • 荷花餐厅：

    • 位置：昆明湖畔
    • 特色：湖景餐厅
    • 价格：人均100-150元
    • 特别提示：夏季可赏荷花

特别提醒

  1. 开放时间

  • 旺季（4月1日-10月31日）：

    • 园区开放：6:30-18:00
    • 景点开放：8:30-17:00
    • 售票时间：6:30-16:00

  • 淡季（11月1日-次年3月31日）：

    • 园区开放：7:00-17:00
    • 景点开放：9:00-16:00
    • 售票时间：7:00-15:30
  1. 门票信息

  • 旺季门票：

    • 成人票：30元（不含园中园）
    • 学生票：15元（凭学生证购买）
    • 优待票：15元（60-70岁老人）

  • 园中园门票：

    • 德和园：20元
    • 苏州街：10元
    • 文昌院：10元

  • 优惠政策：

    • 70岁以上老人免票
    • 1.2米以下儿童免票
    • 残疾人凭证免票
  1. 游览安全

  • 景区安全：

    • 保管好随身物品
    • 注意地面台阶
    • 雨雪天气注意防滑

  • 水上安全：

    • 乘船时需遵守规定
    • 冰场活动时注意安全事项
    • 禁止擅自下水
  1. 文物保护

  • 参观礼仪：

    • 禁止攀爬古建筑
    • 禁止在文物上涂画
    • 禁止触摸文物

  • 拍照规范：

    • 部分展厅内禁止拍照
    • 拍照时禁止使用闪光灯
    • 禁止使用自拍杆
  1. 其他服务

  • 寄存服务：

    • 位置：各大门入口提供寄存服务
    • 大件行李可免费寄存
    • 贵重物品请随身携带

  • 医疗服务：

    • 医务室位置：东门、北门附近
    • 可提供简单医疗服务
    • 备有常用药品

  • 卫生间：

    • 各景点附近均设有卫生间
    • 部分卫生间配有无障碍设施
    • 卫生间内备有纸巾
  1. 特殊天气应对建议

  • 雨天：

    • 长廊可供避雨
    • 建议游客自备雨具
    • 雨天路滑，请小心行走

  • 雪天：

    • 可体验冰上活动，增加游玩乐趣
    • 注意保暖措施，预防感冒等疾病
    • 地面结冰时，注意防滑
  1. 节假日游客众多，请提前做好游玩规划。

Visiting Suggestions

Best Time to Visit

  • It is recommended to avoid peak hours.

Essentials for Summer

  1. Sun protection is essential in summer, so don’t forget your sunshade and sunscreen.

Preparation for Long Walk

  1. As the park covers a large area, it is advisable to bring some snacks and water.

Safety Precautions

  1. The steps leading to the top of the Foxiang Pavilion are steep, so elderly visitors and children should take extra care.

Winter Activities

  1. During the winter when Kunming Lake freezes, visitors can enjoy ice activities.