There are places you walk through but never stop for a look, like some chapters in a long book that you flip through. And then there are places that you visit that become part of your story, living in memory long after you’ve gone.

The Summer Palace in Beijing is one of those.

Beijing is a city of echoes, the clatter of modern life against the silent, red-walled history of the Ming and Qing dynasties. But if the Forbidden City is the stern, official heart of China, the Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan’s graceful successor, Yiheyuan) is its soul. 

It is a wonder of landscape design, where the heavy hand of imperial power softened into the delicate stroke of a painter’s brush.

As you walk through the East Palace Gate, the city's roar fades, replaced by the scent of lotus blossoms and the gentle ripple of Kunming Lake. Here, every stone you see comes to life, and water tells stories of empresses and emperors.

Welcome to the Summer Place. In this blog, we will dig deep into the past and present of the great man-made marvel in China 

Who Built the Summer Palace?

The history of the Summer Palace is as dramatic as a Peking Opera. While its origins date back to the 1100s, the architectural marvel we see today is largely the legacy of the Qing Dynasty.

It was Emperor Qianlong who first expanded the site in 1750 to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday. However, the palace suffered devastating damage during the Second Opium War in 1860. The person most synonymous with its current splendour is the formidable Empress Dowager Cixi. In the late 19th century, she diverted massive amounts of funds, originally intended for the Chinese Navy, to reconstruct and enlarge the gardens as her private sanctuary.

Walking through the halls today, you can almost feel her presence in the intricate woodwork and the sheer scale of the luxury. It remains the best-preserved imperial garden in the world, a testament to a woman who preferred the serenity of the lake to the rigid protocols of the inner city.

Why Was the Summer Palace Built?

At its core, the Summer Palace was an imperial escape. Beijing’s summers are notoriously sweltering, and the high walls of the Forbidden City often felt like a gilded cage.

• Climatic Relief: It served as a cool refuge from the "Heat City."

• Filial Piety: Emperor Qianlong’s initial expansion was a grand gesture of love for his mother.

• Spiritual Harmony: The design was meant to create a "terrestrial paradise," blending the Confucian ideal of order with the Taoist harmony with nature.

• Political Theatre: While it was a place of rest, it was also a place of work. The Empress Dowager often received foreign envoys and conducted state business here, surrounded by the calming influence of the water.

What Was the Summer Palace Used For?

While the name suggests a simple vacation home, the Summer Palace was a fully functioning secondary seat of government.

1. Residence: The imperial family spent the majority of the year here once the spring thaw began.

2. Governance: The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity served as the main office where emperors discussed state affairs with officials.

3. Religious Rituals: The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge) was used for prayer and religious ceremonies.

4. Entertainment: The Grand Theatre in the Garden of Virtue and Harmony is one of the largest and best-preserved imperial stages, where Cixi famously watched her favourite operas.

How Big is the Summer Palace?

To call it a garden is an understatement; it is a landscape of epic proportions. The Summer Palace covers approximately 2.9 square kilometres (about 716 acres).

To put that into perspective:

• Water vs. Land: Roughly three-quarters of the entire park is covered by water (Kunming Lake).

• Architectural Density: It houses over 3,000 man-made structures, including pavilions, towers, bridges, and corridors.

• The Longevity Hill: This man-made hill, created from the soil excavated to make the lake, rises 60 meters high and is crowned by magnificent temples.

Standing on the 17-Hole Bridge, looking out toward the horizon, the scale feels infinite. It was designed to mimic the famous West Lake in Hangzhou, bringing the beauty of Southern China to the rugged North.

How to Get to the Summer Palace in Beijing

Navigating Beijing is surprisingly easy if you know the rhythm of the city. The Summer Palace is located in the Haidian District, about 15 kilometres from central Beijing.

• By Subway (Recommended): Take Line 4 to Beigongmen Station. Exit D is just a short walk from the North Palace Gate. Alternatively, take Line 4 or Line 10 to Xiyuan Station, which is near the East Palace Gate.

• By Taxi/Didi: A ride from the city centre takes about 40–60 minutes, depending on the infamous Beijing traffic. 

• By Bus: Many lines serve the area, including 303, 331, and 584, though the subway is generally faster for tourists.

Must-See Highlights for Your Visit

If you are pressed for time, ensure these spots are on your itinerary:

• The Long Corridor: Stretching 728 meters, it’s a Guinness World Record holder. Every beam is decorated with vibrant paintings of Chinese mythology and landscapes.

• The Marble Boat: A permanent "ship" made of stone. It’s a beautiful irony, a boat that can never sail, symbolising the stability of the dynasty.

• Suzhou Street: A recreated riverside shopping street where eunuchs and maids once dressed as shopkeepers to entertain the Emperor.

Planning Your Visit: Quick Tips

• Comfortable Shoes: You will easily walk 10,000 steps here.

• Boat Rides: Take a ferry across Kunming Lake for the best views of Longevity Hill. It costs about 30-40 RMB but is worth every penny.

• Timing: Arrive early (around 8:30 AM) to avoid the large tour groups and capture the morning mist on the water.

Exploring China from the Tropics

For travellers from South India dreaming of walking these imperial paths, the journey is closer than you think, check out our 8-Day China Tour from Kerala covering  Beijing, Xi’an &  Shanghai for a memorable Summer Palace adventure. 

Ready to Walk the Path of Emperors?

More than a tour destination. The Summer Palace is a feeling of timelessness. Plan your next China adventure with Skytime Tours & Expedition, one of the best tour operators in Kerala.