The Summer Palace: Where Imperial Dreams Float on Water

Imagine a paradise where emperors sailed marble boats, whispered poems in painted corridors, and bent nature to their will—welcome to China’s last imperial garden, a 290-acre symphony of water, stone and myth.

Imperial Ambition : Originally built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong as a birthday gift for his mother, the Summer Palace (then named Qingyi Garden) was a symbol of filial piety and imperial grandeur. Empress Dowager Cixi later reconstructed it using naval funds after it was destroyed, renaming it "Yiheyuan," meaning "Garden of Nurtured Harmony."

Engineering Marvel : The manmade Kunming Lake, covering three-quarters of the entire 290-acre park, was dug out by hand. The excavated earth formed Longevity Hill, creating a carefully balanced landscape that imitated classical Chinese ideals of "mountain and water."

UNESCO Heritage : Inscribed in 1998, UNESCO called it the "crowning achievement of Chinese landscape garden design," for its seamless fusion of artificial artistry and natural beauty.

• Symbol of Power : Standing 41 meters tall atop a 20-meter stone platform, this is where Cixi burned incense and watched over her empire from afar. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of Kunming Lake, whose shape resembles a longevity peach—a detail visible even via satellite imagery.

• Lightplay Moments : At 3:00 PM on sunny days, lattice windows project chessboard-like shadows. In the rain, the curved eaves create beaded water curtains that sway in the breeze.

• World Record Holder : Stretching 728 meters with over 14,000 Suzhou-style paintings, this covered walkway is the world’s longest painted corridor. Each beam is adorned with illustrations from famous Chinese tales like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Legend of the White Snake."

• Hidden Easter Egg : Seek out panel #237, "Lin Daiyu Burying Flowers." The petals are inlaid with real jade powder that remains cool to the touch.

Architectural Irony : Built with misappropriated navy funds, this solid marble boat is a symbol of Cixi’s extravagant tastes. Its stained-glass windows are engraved with bat motifs (symbolizing "blessings") and its deck is tiled with authentic imperial dragon designs.

Rent Qing Dynasty outfits (approx. ¥120/hour) at Suzhou Street and paddle a wooden boat through canals styled like imperial shopping streets. Say the password "Lotus Leaves Everywhere" to get a free sour plum drink.

Pick up a free riddle scroll at the North Palace Gate and follow clues hidden in mural paintings to locate 5 zodiac beast carvings. (Hint: The Rat hides under the dougong eaves at Liujiating Pavilion.)

Must-try: "Movable-type Dessert Platter," where sticky rice cakes are dipped in edible ink and used to stamp characters like "longevity" and "prosperity" onto porcelain plates.

1. Official Booking Site

   • Book online : Use the  Summer Palace Official Ticketing Site  (English interface available).

   • Pro tip: Avoid third-party platforms —direct booking ensures valid e-tickets.

2. Ticket Types & Prices

   • Basic entry : ¥30 (Apr–Oct), ¥20 (Nov–Mar).

   • Combo ticket (includes Tower of Buddhist Incense): ¥60.

   • Free entry: Foreigners aged 60+ (show passport), children under 6 or under 1.2m.

3. Payment Methods

   • Foreign cards accepted (Visa/Mastercard).

   • Mobile pay (Alipay/WeChat Pay): Link int'l cards via "TourCard" or "Alipay+".

   • Cash at on-site windows (East/North Gates).

4. Entry Requirements

   • Bring passport : Must match booking info. Scan passport + e-ticket QR code at gates.

   • No refunds : Tickets are non-refundable once used.

5. Smart Tips

   • ⏰ Book early : Peak days sell out—reserve 3–7 days ahead.

   • 🚫 Banned items : Drones, kites, fishing gear (check full list here：https://ticket.summerpalace-china.com/#/ ).

   • 🆘 On-site help : English-speaking staff at East Gate ticket windows.

July Lotus Bloom : The Garden of Harmonious Interests features over 100 ancient lotus varieties in bloom. Wear Hanfu for a free ride on a lotus-picking boat (online booking required).

November Ginkgo Showers : The rear lake turns golden with fallen ginkgo leaves. Arrive before 8 AM for mirror-like reflection shots with no crowds.

January Ice Run : Once Kunming Lake freezes, rent a traditional Chinese sled (¥20) and slide down from the Jade Belt Bridge like Cixi once did.

Reverse Route Hack :

• Start at North Palace Gate at 7:00 AM → Suzhou Street → Marble Boat → Long Corridor → Foxiangge → Seventeen-Arch Bridge by 10:00 AM to catch perfect golden light.

3 Things to Avoid :

• Don’t buy the ¥30 "Imperial mung bean soup" by the lake—it’s canned sugar water in disguise.
• Avoid the Long Corridor between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM—it’s packed with tour groups.
• Beware of "shortcut to Foxiangge" pitches—there is only one legitimate entrance via Paiyun Gate.

Fresh-baked sesame "Yihe Buns" filled with sauced pork knuckle—legend has it Cixi craved these during her flight from the capital.

Locate: 100m right of East Palace Gate, under a red tent (only open from 6–9 AM).

Century-old recipe of roasted donkey meat with chopped green pepper in a crispy bun—the ultimate energy booster before hiking.

Locate: 8 minutes’ walk north from North Palace Gate (look for long lines of elderly locals).

Soak in centuries of royal elegance as you drift past lotus blooms, climb incense towers, and snack like an empress. At the Summer Palace, every step whispers a legend—and every selfie tells your own. Your imperial daydream awaits!