Summer Palace

Beijing · imperial gardens · Qing dynasty · architecture

Built by an Empress. The Summer Palace was created by Empress Cixi as a beautiful retreat where she could enjoy peaceful gardens and quiet time away from her busy royal duties.

Mostly Water. The Summer Palace covers an area as large as about 720 football fields, and most of it is water, including the beautiful Kunming Lake where boats can glide across.

Seventeen Hole Bridge. One of the most famous features is the stunning Seventeen Hole Bridge, which has exactly seventeen arches and crosses over the water in an elegant curved design.

Longevity Hill. A large hill called Longevity Hill rises up from the gardens, decorated with temples and buildings that look out over all the lakes and pathways below.

Imperial Retreat Palace. During China's Qing dynasty, this garden was where the emperor and empress would go to relax, enjoying nature and beautiful architecture all in one incredible compound.