A masterpiece of Chinese garden art, the Summer Palace composes pavilions, corridors, and temples with water and hill scenery. Rebuilt after conflict, it now manages shoreline erosion, timber conservation, and heavy visitation while sustaining the Long Corridor’s painted narrative and views across Kunming Lake.
Causeways, islands, and framed views choreograph movement and sightlines. The Long Corridor’s painted beams narrate classics and landscapes.
19th‑century rebuilding followed destruction; today’s conservation stabilizes shorelines, gardens, and timber architecture with ongoing repainting and joinery work.
Boats and lakeside paths offer shifting perspectives; seasonality brings lotus, ice, and changing light.
Plan ample time; avoid peak midday crowds on the Long Corridor and explore side pavilions for quiet moments.
