Tours Visiting The Summer Palace, China

Built in 1750 as a summertime playground for the royal family to escape the heat of the city, the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscaping. Centred around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, you’ll find a harmonious ensemble of intricate pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges, creating a wonderfully pastoral scene that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

Damaged during the Second Opium War by the Anglo-French army and restored in 1886 with money that had been apparently earmarked for the navy, the Summer Palace is designed according to the principles of fengshui. Whilst Longevity Hill climbs to 60 metres in height (there are great views from the top), Seventeen Arch Bridge stretches across Kunming Lake to the impressive marble boat. Not to be missed is the Long Corridor, an intricately decorated walkway that is 700 metres in length.