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China is undeniably the cradle of East Asian culture, boasting architectural marvels steeped in history. Alongside the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace stands as a premier destination on Chinese tours. Visitors here are greeted with awe-inspiring grandeur and opulence. Let's delve into all the fascinating aspects of the Summer Palace with Mytour in the article below!
About the Summer Palace
For ardent enthusiasts of Chinese period dramas, the name Summer Palace rings familiar. Yet, few know its exact location or centuries-old existence. Also known as the Imperial Garden, this extravagant palace lies in Haidian, the capital of Beijing, China.
Di Hòa Viên was constructed in 1988, with a total cost of 3000 million yuan. After 10 years of construction, it was officially renamed as the Summer Palace. Situated approximately 15 km northwest of the city center of Beijing.
The Summer Palace is also affectionately known as the Beijing Summer Palace (Image source: Collected)
According to Chinese history, the name Di Hòa Viên translates to a garden bringing relaxation and tranquility to the soul. Hence, it has become a renowned recreational spot for ancient Chinese royalty.
In 1998, the Summer Palace was officially recognized by UNESCO as a “World Heritage Site” for its unique architectural style and feng shui significance, the most outstanding in China. Besides, Di Hòa Viên is also famous for its royal garden artistry, boasting the largest investment scale in China. Every aspect of architecture and landscape arrangement seems to achieve the most exquisite perfection, adhering strictly to feng shui principles.
Travel Information about the Summer Palace
Operating Hours
At different times, the management will set two different time frames. This will help the Summer Palace avoid overcrowding due to large influxes of tourists and provide the best experience for all visitors.
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Peak season (from 01/04 to 31/10): The Summer Palace opens for tourists from 6 am to 8 pm.
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Off-peak season (from 01/11 to 31/03): The Summer Palace opens from 6:30 am to 7 pm.
Admission Prices
Similar to opening hours, the admission prices for the Summer Palace are also divided into different periods:
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Peak season (from 01/04 to 31/10): Ticket price is 60 CNY/person (equivalent to 200,000 VND/person).
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Off-peak season (from 01/11 to 21/03): Ticket price is 50 CNY/person (equivalent to 160,000 VND/person).
History of the Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is an architectural masterpiece built on a grand scale with many famous landscapes such as Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill… The summer palace draws inspiration from West Lake in Hangzhou and is based on the design of gardens in the Jiangnan region.
This magnificent imperial palace was built during the Qing Dynasty with a total area of 290 hectares. However, few know that this land area existed over 800 years ago with many renovations and name changes. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, this architectural masterpiece was upgraded and expanded into many other areas.
In 1750, Emperor Qianlong used 4.48 million taels of silver to build the Thanh Hoa Italian Garden to express gratitude for the nurturing care of his mother, Empress Dowager Sūnghuán. The imperial garden stretches 20km from the Thanh Hoa Italian Garden to Tương Sơn.
The picturesque and poetic scenery of the summer palace (Image source: Collected)
In 19860, the Thanh Hoa Italian Garden was occupied and completely burned down by the Allied forces of Britain and France. Under the reign of King Quang Tự the 14th (1888), it was officially renamed the Summer Palace. When the dynasty officially collapsed, the entire Summer Palace was destroyed in the chaotic warfare between warlords and the Nationalist Party.
After the turmoil of the era, the Summer Palace underwent numerous difficult renovations. However, the royal palace still retains its original luxurious and magnificent beauty. In 2007, the Summer Palace was officially recognized by the National Tourism Administration as a national tourist destination. In 2009, the Summer Palace was honored by Guinness World Records as the largest imperial garden in China.
Distinctive Architecture of the Summer Palace
If there were a vote for the most artistically architectural palaces in China, the Summer Palace could be a strong contender. It covers a total area of 290 hectares (equivalent to 294 acres). Three-fourths of the palace's area is lakes, ponds, and gardens.
Most tourists visiting the Summer Palace are overwhelmed by the picturesque and ancient garden scenery. The most impressive aspect of the architectural space in the Summer Palace is the Longevity Mountain and the tranquil Kunming Lake. In addition, the royal summer palace boasts nearly 3000 rooms divided into 3 main areas: Administrative area, residential area, and imperial garden for sightseeing.
Feng Shui Meaning of the Summer Palace
The Summer Palace not only succeeds in highlighting the ancient beauty of Chinese architecture but also carries distinctive feng shui significance. This clearly reflects the far-sighted vision of ancient rulers and honors the beliefs and cultural identity of China.
The Summer Palace embodies two layers of special significance deeply expressed in its architectural structures. These are the Feng Shui meanings of Fortune - Prosperity - Longevity and the meaning of “National Peace and Prosperity”.
The Summer Palace carries many distinctive feng shui meanings of Chinese culture (Image source: Collected)
In the first layer of meaning, Emperor Tu Huy Thai aimed to depict the image of peaches symbolizing Fortune, bats symbolizing Prosperity, and tortoises as symbols of Longevity. However, the Summer Palace not only embodies feng shui significance but also represents a prosperous nation. Most notably, it is the jade in the midst of the earth and sky with the meaning of protection and shelter.
Unique Attractions Exclusive to the Summer Palace
From the moment you set foot in the Summer Palace, many tourists can't help but marvel at the centuries-old historical relics and picturesque scenery here. Below are the most famous attractions that you can only find at the Summer Palace.
Kunming Lake Area
Kunming Lake is the most remarkable architectural feature of the Summer Palace with an area of up to 200 hectares. In winter, the surface of Kunming Lake is covered with a layer of solid ice, creating a mystical and eerie scene. And when summer comes, the entire Summer Palace bursts with vibrant life, with gentle, cool breezes. This is also the ideal time when Empress Tu Huy Thai often comes here to relax and enjoy. For this reason, the Summer Palace is also known as the “Summer Palace”.
Viewed from above, Kunming Lake resembles a giant peach, with its stem resembling a river leading water into the lake through the West Gate. If you have the opportunity to visit Kunming Lake, you will have the chance to admire the bustling Tuo River when strolling along both banks.
The Kunming Lake Area was once a place of leisure during the summer days of the Qing Dynasty Empresses (Image source: Collected)
Legend has it that during his Southern Inspection Tours, Emperor Qianlong always brought Empress Sūnghuán to enjoy the sights. However, due to her old age and frail health, the Empress had fewer opportunities to travel. With great filial piety, Emperor Qianlong decided to build a city in the style of Hangzhou right in the heart of the Forbidden City on the occasion of her 60th birthday. This allowed the Empress to admire the Hangzhou-style city without having to travel far to the South.
Longevity Mountain
The most impressive feature of Longevity Mountain is its towering peak reaching 60 meters, entirely carved by human hands. It is all made from sand excavated during the construction of Kunming Lake. Longevity Mountain is located opposite Kunming Lake, so tourists can visit it after exploring the area of the Summer Palace.
Stream of Joy
Trường Lang is located at the southern foot of Longevity Mountain, facing the picturesque Kunming Lake. It is also known as the longest corridor in Chinese garden architecture with a total length of 728 meters. However, Trường Lang is also recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “Longest corridor in the world”. Surrounding the corridor are over 14,000 painted panels depicting birds, fish, flowers, landscapes, and more.
With a total length of up to 728 meters, Trường Lang at the Summer Palace is recognized as the longest corridor in the world (Image source: Collected)
Thập Thất Khổng Bridge
Thập Thất Khổng Bridge is an entirely stone-built architectural structure with 17 spans, measuring 150 meters in length and 18 meters in width. The bridge spans connect the shore and a small island in Kunming Lake. When visiting the bridge, tourists can admire 500 sculptures depicting various forms and expressions.
Important Tips for Visiting Di Hòa Viên
To fully enjoy your visit to Di Hòa Viên, tourists should pay attention to the following tips:
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Di Hòa Viên is a solemn and tranquil imperial palace. Therefore, visitors should strictly adhere to all regulations such as no climbing trees, no smoking, etc.
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Do not use cameras inside the palace.
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If traveling to Di Hòa Viên in winter, it is advisable to wear warm clothes. For summer visits, bring hats, caps, and sunscreen.
Di Hòa Viên is not only a famous scenic spot and an ideal destination for the “Land of a Billion People,” but it is also a source of pride for China's world historical heritage. A visit to Beijing without exploring Di Hòa Viên - the Summer Palace is considered a waste of youth. If you need to book a tour to China, please contact the Mytour hotline of Mytour! Our staff will provide free consultation on all itineraries, tour prices, and attractive offers.
