An Imperial Garden in Beijing- Summer Palace

Summer Palace is very popular among tourists when they travel in Beijing. With a long history and beautiful scenery, many of them visit them again and again.

Brief Introduction

Summer Palace is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in existence in China. Only a short drive from central Beijing, but it seems like another world. As a symbol of one of the major world civilizations, the Summer Palace epitomizes the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design, which played a key role in the development of this cultural form throughout the east.

History

 

First built in 1750, also called Yihe Yuan, Summer Palace was largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886. Damaged in 1900 by the international expeditionary force during the suppression of the Boxer Rising and restored two years later. It turned from an imperial garden to a public park in 1924. Today, it becomes an ideal place for Beijing locals to retreat from the hot summer in Beijing.

Structure

 

Summer Palace falls naturally into several parts, each of them carrying its own distinct character, some meant for administration, some living, and others relaxation.
Covering an area of 290 hectares, the garden consists primarily of the Wanshoushan and Kunming Lake. There are over 30 classical structures are scattering on the hill and around the lake. It is divided into three sections: the administrative area, the imperial residential area and the scenic area according to their functions.
With its magnificently painted ceilings, the paths beside the lake lead you under shady trees. Along the road, there are bridges, boats, willows, lotus flowers etc. Beautiful scenery makes this a pleasant place to soak up the atmosphere and take in the distant view.
A hillock less than 60 meters high, Wanshoushan is a branch of the Xishan. Formed by springs flowing down from Yuquanshan, the Kunming Lake was also called Xihu for its location to the west of Beijing.

Scenery of Summer Palace

 

Combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges, the natural scenery of hills and open water in Summer Palace has formed a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.
The Summer Palace is one of the loveliest spots in Beijing. Many of buildings in Summer Palace are open to the public though not all of them.

Listed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO in 1998, Summer Palace has attracts large number of foreign visitors every year. With highly reputation, it is a must for your Beijing travel.