A Detailed Account of the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is located 12 kilometers from the urban area of Beijing, covering an area of more than 4,350 acres. Utilizing Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill as the foundation, and taking inspiration from Hangzhou's West Lake, it incorporates the design techniques and artistic conception of gardens in the south of the Yangtze River to create a large landscape garden. Take the Long Corridor as an example. From the Hall of Joyful Longevity to the west, past the Inviting Moon Gate, there is a 728-meter-long corridor with more than 270 compartments, four octagonal pavilions in the middle, two beside the lake, adorned with over 14,000 pieces of various-sized colored paintings, depicting flowers, feathers, figures, stories, landscapes, and more. It is said that during Emperor Qianlong's six visits to the south of the Yangtze River, whenever he saw a beautiful scene, he would have an artist paint it and then have it depicted on the Long Corridor. Thus, viewing the paintings on the Long Corridor is like touring the landscapes of the south. The Summer Palace consists of three major scenic areas, featuring both the beauty of lakes and mountains as well as garden landscapes, with over 3,000 various palaces, temples, and garden buildings. Each architectural complex has its own characteristics, yet they are interconnected. It uses the western Jade Spring Hill as its backdrop, harmoniously blending man-made structures with natural scenery, becoming a model of Chinese garden art. The Summer Palace has more than a hundred scenic spots, each rich in symbolism, but all highlighting the supreme power of the monarchy and the divine. Every spot is a reflection of a long history and is permeated with the rich cultural heritage of the nation, truly making it a royal garden museum. It is the culmination of imperial gardens from past dynasties and a collection of the essence of private gardens from both north and south, making it the most complete and largest existing royal garden in China. How could one miss visiting the Summer Palace when playing in Beijing?