The Summer Palace, located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing, is an outstanding representative of Chinese garden art and one of the world’s cultural heritages. It not only carries a rich historical and cultural heritage but also contains profound connotations and legendary stories. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the history, cultural legends, architectural layout, geographical location, and travel recommendations of the Summer Palace, helping you better understand and visit this historic attraction.

The predecessor of the Summer Palace dates back to the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. It was originally known as the Qingyi Garden. Emperor Qianlong ordered the construction of this garden among the lakes and hills to celebrate his mother’s birthday. Later, during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng in 1860, Qingyi Garden was severely damaged by the British and French allied forces during the Second Opium War. It wasn’t until the reign of Emperor Guangxu that Empress Dowager Cixi ordered its reconstruction for her own retirement, renaming it the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace was not only a leisure place for the royal family but also a venue for handling state affairs, witnessing many important historical events in the late Qing Dynasty.

Historical Introduction

Notable Historical Events

The Summer Palace has witnessed several significant historical events throughout its history:

The Construction and Development During Qianlong’s Reign

In the 15th year of Qianlong’s reign (1750), Emperor Qianlong ordered the construction of Qingyi Garden to celebrate his mother, the Empress Dowager Chongqing’s 60th birthday. The emperor himself took a keen interest in garden art and personally participated in the design and construction, making Qingyi Garden a model of Chinese garden art at the time. During Qianlong’s reign, Qingyi Garden was not only a leisure place for the royal family but also an important venue for the emperor to handle state affairs and receive foreign envoys.

Destruction During the Second Opium War

In the 10th year of Xianfeng’s reign (1860), the British and French allied forces invaded Beijing during the Second Opium War, causing severe damage to Qingyi Garden. Many buildings were burned down, and the treasures within the garden were plundered. This event was a significant disaster in the history of the Summer Palace and a humiliation in the modern history of China.

Reconstruction and Renaming During Guangxu’s Reign

During the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the reconstruction of Qingyi Garden and renamed it the Summer Palace for her retirement. The reconstruction took nearly ten years and consumed a vast amount of financial and material resources. Empress Dowager Cixi handled state affairs and received foreign envoys in the Summer Palace, making it one of the centers of political activity in the late Qing Dynasty.

The Hundred Days’ Reform and the Summer Palace

In the 24th year of Guangxu’s reign (1898), Emperor Guangxu attempted a series of reforms in politics, economy, culture, and military, known historically as the Hundred Days’ Reform. However, due to Empress Dowager Cixi’s opposition, the reforms ultimately failed. Emperor Guangxu was placed under house arrest in the Yulan Hall of the Summer Palace, where he lost actual power, and the Summer Palace became a witness to this political struggle.

The Summer Palace After the Xinhai Revolution

After the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace ceased to be used as a royal garden. In the following years, the Summer Palace was opened to the public at times and also experienced war and turmoil. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Summer Palace was properly protected and restored, gradually becoming a place for people to leisure and an important tourist attraction.

Cultural Legends

The Summer Palace is rich in cultural legends and stories. One of the most famous is the legend of the Stone Boat, also known as the Qingyan Boat. The Stone Boat is a unique building in the Summer Palace, with the entire boat body carved from huge bluestones, symbolizing the eternity and stability of the royal family. It is said that Empress Dowager Cixi often enjoyed the lake view here, and the words “Qingyan” on the stone boat imply a beautiful wish for national peace and people’s happiness.

Architectural Layout

The architectural layout of the Summer Palace is ingenious, divided into three areas: the political activity area, the living area, and the touring area.

Wanshou Mountain

Wanshou Mountain is the main mountain body of the Summer Palace. The Buddhist Incense Pavilion on the mountain is the highest point of the entire garden. Climbing the pavilion offers a panoramic view of the entire garden and the beautiful scenery of Kunming Lake. There are also many pavilions and halls on the mountain, such as the Paiyun Hall and the Wisdom Sea, each with its unique style and historical background.

Kunming Lake

Kunming Lake is the main water body of the Summer Palace. There are many famous attractions on the lake, such as Nanhu Island and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. The Long Corridor along the north shore of Kunming Lake is the longest painted corridor in the world, stretching 728 meters. It features over 14,000 colored paintings, covering ancient Chinese landscapes, flowers and birds, and stories of people, making it a treasure trove of art.

The Long Corridor

The Long Corridor is one of the iconic buildings of the Summer Palace. It winds along the north shore of Kunming Lake, connecting the Leshou Hall and the Paiyun Hall. The colorful paintings on the Long Corridor are rich and diverse, with each painting telling a story, making it a great place for visitors to learn about ancient Chinese culture.

Geographical Location

The Summer Palace is located in Haidian District, Beijing, about 15 kilometers from the city center. The garden covers an area of 290 hectares and is one of the largest and best-preserved royal gardens in China. Its geographical location is superior, and transportation is convenient, making it a must-visit attraction when touring Beijing.

Recommended Travel Tips

Visitors can choose from various modes of transportation to get to the Summer Palace. The most convenient method is to take the subway, getting off at Beigongmen Station on Line 4, and exit from Exit D to reach the main gate of the Summer Palace. In addition, there are many buses passing by the Summer Palace, such as Nos. 331, 332, 346, etc. If driving, there are several parking lots around the garden for visitors’ convenience.

Best Season to Visit

The Summer Palace has its own unique charm in each season, but spring and autumn are the best times to visit. In spring, the peach and pear blossoms in the garden are in full bloom, full of vitality; in autumn, the weather is crisp and clear, and the lake shimmers, making it the optimal period to visit the Summer Palace. Additionally, the snowscape in winter offers a different flavor, with the Summer Palace dressed in silver, exuding tranquility and solemnity.

The above is a detailed introduction to the Summer Palace, including its historical background, cultural legends, architectural layout, and travel recommendations. The Summer Palace is a gem of Chinese garden art, and each attraction is worth savoring. We hope that when you visit the Summer Palace, you can feel the profound historical and cultural heritage and the beautiful natural scenery here.