Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, located in the Haidian area in Beijing's northwestern outskirts, is a traditional imperial park with beautifully planted hills and lakes. The royal family of the Qing Dynasty utilized it as their official summer palace. Although official business was conducted here, the Palace's principal function was to give a beautiful and serene escape from the heat of the city. Thousands of wonderful views may be found among the tranquil lakes and forested hills. These include the 700-meter-long "Long Corridor", which is painted with Chinese mythological themes, the "Benevolence & Longevity Hall," where the emperor in residence received special envoys and managed state issues, and Longevity Hill, which provides a spectacular view of Kunming Lake.

The Yiledian (Hall of Nurtured Joy), which has a three-story theater, the Dowager Empress Cixi's palace, and the Shiqi Kong Qiao (Hall of Joyful Longevity) are also notable monuments in the park (Seventeen-Arch Bridge). The Chang Lang (Long Gallery) is a covered hallway that spans 2,388 feet (728 meters) and is lavishly adorned with over 14,000 paintings portraying scenes from Chinese classical literature. The Shi Fang (Marble Boat) is a lakeside pavilion made of wood that has been painted to resemble marble. It resembles a Mississippi paddle boat due to the imitation wheels on either side.

Although the individual structures are pleasingly ornate and historically interesting, it is the typical Chinese scenery, such as vistas over the lake, that is most appealing. A harmonic ambiance of immense appeal is created by combining the natural scenery of hills and the beautiful lake with artificial elements like as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges. The design exemplifies Chinese garden design theory and practice, exhibiting the profound beauty of this worldwide renowned Chinese cultural form.

Location: No.19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Beijing, China