This is the visit to the Summer Palace and Garden of Peace in Beijing

Like a good country full of dynasties, the country's emperors not only had a palace.

And I mean summer Palace, also known as the Garden of Relaxing Peace, and when you visit it you will understand why it is called that.

Located on the outskirts of the Chinese capital, just 15 kilometers from the historic center of Peking / Beijing, the summer Palace It occupies about 300 hectares in which around the Kunming Lake and the adjacent one Longevity Hill, We can find extensive gardens and more than 3.000 structures, such as pavilions, corridors, bridges, mansions and sculptures.

Known as summer Palace since it was a summer residence for the emperors, construction began in the XII century, during the Jing dynasty.

Over time it was expanded, so that in 1750, by order of the emperor qianlong, from the dynasty Qing, more than one hundred thousand workers worked for years to reproduce in the summer Palace various palaces and landscapes of the Chinese Empire.

In 1860, during the Opium War, summer Palace It was completely destroyed by Anglo-French troops. But later, in 1890, the Empress Cixi He ordered its complete reconstruction, and the large investment it required was achieved by diverting funds intended for China's naval forces. This diversion led to their destruction in 1900, during the war with the Japanese.

El Beijing Summer Palace It was opened to the public after the Chinese Revolution, in 1911. It is a monument considered Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

What to see at the Summer Palace in Beijing

Although I have prepared a specific section for the most important sites, I am going to give you a summary of the sites that you must see in the Summer Palace.

Once you arrive at summer Palace, it is advisable to do a traditional chinese boat cruise by Kunming Lake, which is the central axis of this large part, and around which its main corners are arranged.

During this cruise you will always have in mind the scene that forms the so-called Longevity Hill, crowned by the Buddhist Incense Tower.

When you reach the other shore, you will find one of the most surprising corners of the visit, the Empress Cixi's Marble Boat, an imposing emulation in said luxurious stone of a traditional Chinese boat.

At the lake it is interesting to get close to see the 17 Arch Bridge, which allows you to reach its largest island, the Nanhu Island.

On your walk through the different mansions and pavilions that you find in the Summer Palace, you will have the opportunity to tour the Long Corridor, where you should pay attention to the decoration of their ceilings.

If you have time (that was not the case during my visit...) and you dare, you have the possibility of going up to the aforementioned Longevity Hill and visit the Buddhist Incense Tower

La visit of the Summer Palace It will take you at least half a day, but if you want to visit its main pavilions and corners, as well as enjoy the gardens and the lake, you can consider taking a full-day excursion.

Beijing Summer Palace Buddhist Incense Tower

On Longevity Hill Beijing Summer Palace / Beijing, there is a building that stands out from the others, the Buddhist Incense Tower. We can see the imposing architecture of this Buddhist tower from anywhere in the world. Kunming Lake.

La Buddhist Incense Tower It has a height of 41 meters, to which we must add the 21 meters of the base on which it rests. The tower is surrounded by various buildings and halls. From this area you can have a beautiful panoramic views of the Summer Palace grounds, and specifically, Kunming Lake.

With eight porticos and three levels, This tower was built in 1758 replacing a pagoda that was not completed. The tower was destroyed in 1860 by Anglo-French troops, although the Empress Cixi He ordered its reconstruction in 1894.

Beijing Summer Palace Kunming Lake Boat Tour

When you get to Beijing Summer Palace, the first image you will see is that of the great Kunming Lake, which extends in front of the Hill of Longevity.

You will surely see the Kunming Lake full of small pleasure boats in which numerous visitors to the summer Palace They are enjoying a day of relaxation.

You must keep in mind that three quarters of the total surface of the summer Palace, 294 hectares, is occupied by the lake.

As an alternative to possibly renting a pleasure boat to navigate the lake, you can enjoy it by boarding the boat that crosses to the other shore, where you will begin your true journey. visit to the Summer Palace in Beijing.

This 10-15 minute journey will take you on a traditional Chinese boat, built of wood completely decorated with striking drawings and colors in the style of that country.

You will disembark next to the curious marble boat of Empress Cixi

Kunming Lake extends widely across the front of the Longevity Hill, and also on its back, although it already enters a wooded area full of winding paths.

The lake during the ming dynasty It has already gained popularity among the population of Beijing for being a place where the lotus flower bloomed. Later, in the Qin dynasty Its extension was expanded, and today it is a place of relaxation for Pekingese.

El Summer Palace Kunming Lake It has several islands connected by bridges. The largest is the Nanhu Island which you will find in the main part of the lake, in front of the Longevity Hill.

This island is accessed by the most prominent bridge, the one known as 17 Arch Bridge, built in the 150th century, and with a length of XNUMX meters.

Summer Palace Marble Boat

Can you imagine wanting to enjoy a boat ride and since you get seasick, you build yourself a large marble boat to emulate the sensation? Well that's what the Empress Cixi de China just over a century ago.

During your visit to summer Palace, the great park that is Heritage, and essential visit in Beijing/Beijing, you will be able to see this impressive marble ship. 

Upon reaching the shore of the Longevity Hill, after your walk in the traditional Chinese boat on Kunming Lake, the first thing you will see is the impressive Marble Boat, also built in traditional Chinese style.

In China in past times it was common to build a marble boat as a decorative element of the classic Chinese garden. The beautiful Summer Palace Marble Boat, also known as the Ship of Clarity and Comfort, was built in 1755.

After its destruction in 1860, its construction was commissioned again by the then Empress Cixi, in 1890, who often used it later to enjoy the views of the lake, as he was afraid to board a boat to sail.

Nowadays, the marble boat has become one of the most impressive decorative elements that you can find in the world. summer Palace.

Long Corridor and halls of the Palace

On our visit to summer Palace de Pekin, once we have crossed the Kunming Lake on the traditional Chinese boat, and we have been surprised by the majesty of the Empress Cixi's Marble Boat, the most common thing is to take a step through the southern part of the Longevity Hill, along the lake shore.

This frontal area of ​​the Longevity Hill, is where most of the buildings of the summer Palace. From this part you can access the top of the hill and along the walk we will reach the area where the empress resided.

We will do a good part of the walk along the Long Corridor a 750 meter covered gallery long, whose ceiling is fully decorated. This covered hallway was built in 1755 and in its 273 spaces there are colorful paintings with historical figures, landscapes and nature.

After touring the Long Corridor, we will go through different mansions and halls, the main one being the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, which was a work stay of the Emperor. In this room the original furniture is preserved in good condition and there is a throne with nine sculpted dragons.

To highlight in the central patio of this room is the large bronze figure shaped like a dragon, known as kylin.