The Summer Palace (颐和园, Yíhéyuán) in Beijing, China, is one of the most famous and magnificent royal gardens in the world. With its vast and diverse landscapes, the palace is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a stunning testament to the artistic and cultural values of ancient Chinese royalty. Built primarily during the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace is renowned for its meticulously designed gardens, which served as a retreat for the imperial family, offering tranquility, beauty, and a deep connection with nature.

The Summer Palace’s gardens are a blend of natural landscapes, architectural splendor, and symbolic features that represent the harmony between heaven and earth, a central tenet of traditional Chinese philosophy. This article explores the famous gardens within the Summer Palace, shedding light on their history, design, significance, and the role they played in the lives of China’s emperors and empresses.

1. Introduction: The Importance of Gardens in the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, located in the Haidian District of Beijing, was originally constructed during the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) but reached its grandeur during the Qing Dynasty, particularly under the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711–1799) and Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908). The palace, built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers and features a variety of architectural styles, pavilions, halls, and, most notably, beautifully designed gardens.

The gardens in the Summer Palace were created not only as a retreat from the political hustle and bustle of the Forbidden City but also as a space for the emperor to enjoy leisure activities, contemplate nature, and engage in intellectual pursuits. The gardens were designed to evoke harmony and balance, key themes in Chinese philosophy, and were filled with symbolic elements that reflected the ideals of beauty, longevity, and the natural world.

2. Aesthetic and Symbolic Design of the Gardens

Chinese gardens, particularly those within royal palaces, were built with great attention to detail and symbolism. The Summer Palace gardens followed the principles of feng shui (geomancy), which emphasized the harmonious flow of qi (energy). The integration of water features, rock formations, plants, and architectural elements within the gardens was designed to create a tranquil environment that reflected both the philosophical ideals and the grandeur of the Qing dynasty.

The gardens in the Summer Palace feature several important elements:

• Water Features: Water is a central element in Chinese gardens, symbolizing life and tranquility. The Kunming Lake, which covers three-quarters of the Summer Palace, is the largest water feature, and it provides both aesthetic beauty and a serene atmosphere. The lake is surrounded by pathways, pavilions, and bridges, allowing visitors to enjoy both its natural beauty and the symbolic significance of water as a life-giving force.
• Rock Gardens: Rocks and boulders, often carefully arranged to create artificial hills or mountains, symbolize stability and strength in Chinese gardens. The Longevity Hill (长寿山, Chángshòu Shān), located in the Summer Palace, is a key feature that incorporates these symbolic rock formations.
• Pavilions and Temples: These structures are commonly found in Chinese gardens, providing places of rest, meditation, and leisure. In the Summer Palace, these buildings often reflect the style of traditional Chinese architecture and are placed in such a way as to complement the surrounding natural landscape.
• Trees and Flowers: Each plant in the Summer Palace has its own symbolic meaning. Trees like pine and bamboo represent longevity and resilience, while flowers such as lotus and chrysanthemums are symbols of purity, beauty, and endurance.

3. The Famous Gardens of the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is home to several famous gardens, each with its own unique features and symbolic significance. Among the most notable are the Seventeen-Arch Bridge Garden, the Long Corridor Garden, and the Longevity Hill Garden. Each of these gardens reflects the royal family’s love of nature, leisure, and intellectual pursuits, while simultaneously embodying the ideals of harmony, balance, and tranquility.

a) The Seventeen-Arch Bridge Garden

One of the most iconic features of the Summer Palace is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which spans Kunming Lake and connects the eastern and western shores of the lake. This bridge is famous not only for its architectural beauty but also for the stunning gardens that surround it.

The bridge, built in 1750, consists of 17 arches, symbolizing the 17 provinces of China at the time. The structure is a masterpiece of Qing Dynasty architecture, and the surrounding garden is a tranquil retreat with manicured lawns, flowers, and walking paths. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge Garden offers a beautiful view of Kunming Lake, with picturesque scenery in every direction.

This garden is notable for its serene atmosphere and the way it seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. It is said that walking across the bridge provides a sense of harmony between the physical and spiritual realms, reflecting the Qing Dynasty’s belief in the emperor as a mediator between heaven and earth.

b) The Long Corridor Garden

The Long Corridor (长廊, Cháng Láng) is one of the longest covered walkways in the world, stretching over 700 meters in length. The corridor, which runs along the northern edge of Kunming Lake, connects various pavilions and gardens within the Summer Palace.

The Long Corridor is a significant feature of the Summer Palace, not only because of its length but also for the artistic works that adorn its ceiling. The corridor is decorated with over 14,000 paintings depicting scenes from Chinese mythology, historical events, and nature. These paintings not only showcase the artistic achievements of the Qing Dynasty but also serve as a reminder of the emperor’s deep connection with Chinese cultural heritage.

The Long Corridor Garden is filled with a variety of plants, including willows, peach blossoms, and lotus flowers, creating a harmonious blend of nature and art. Visitors walking through the Long Corridor experience the beauty of nature while also being immersed in the rich history and culture of the Qing Dynasty.

c) Longevity Hill Garden

Longevity Hill is the most prominent feature of the Summer Palace, rising 60 meters above the surrounding landscape. The hill is home to several important gardens, pavilions, and temples, all of which are designed to symbolize the emperor’s role as a ruler who brings stability, longevity, and prosperity to the nation.

The Longevity Hill Garden is a meticulously designed space filled with natural rock formations, ancient trees, and carefully cultivated flowers. The hill is symbolic of the emperor’s connection to heaven and his responsibility to maintain harmony in the world. At the summit of Longevity Hill sits the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a famous architectural structure that offers stunning views of the Summer Palace and the surrounding landscape.

The garden surrounding Longevity Hill is a reflection of the traditional Chinese belief that the emperor’s health and longevity were crucial to the prosperity of the nation. The hill and its gardens were designed to evoke a sense of serenity, spirituality, and connection with the natural world.

d) The Marble Boat Garden

The Marble Boat (石舫, Shífǎng) is a unique and famous structure located on the western shore of Kunming Lake. It is not an actual boat but rather a pavilion built in the shape of a boat, constructed from marble and other materials.

The Marble Boat Garden is a symbol of imperial power and resilience, as it was built during a time when the Qing Dynasty faced internal strife and external threats. The boat, which appears to be floating on the lake, reflects the concept of stability amid turbulent times.

The surrounding garden is filled with lush greenery, flowering plants, and calm waters, creating a peaceful environment for relaxation and contemplation. The Marble Boat Garden is one of the most photographed sites in the Summer Palace, attracting visitors from around the world who marvel at its architectural beauty and the symbolism it embodies.

4. The Cultural Significance of the Gardens

The gardens of the Summer Palace were designed to fulfill more than just aesthetic functions. They were spaces for intellectual pursuits, relaxation, and spiritual reflection. The imperial family, particularly the emperors and empresses, would often retreat to these gardens to escape the formalities of court life and find peace in nature.

In addition to being places of leisure, the gardens were also used for scholarly activities such as reading, writing poetry, and practicing calligraphy. These activities were seen as essential for maintaining the emperor’s wisdom and spiritual balance.

The Summer Palace gardens also embodied key principles of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The natural beauty of the gardens was meant to reflect the harmonious relationship between humans and the environment, while the architectural features represented the connection between heaven and earth.

5. Conclusion: The Legacy of the Summer Palace Gardens

The gardens of the Summer Palace continue to be a source of inspiration and admiration for visitors from around the world. They are not only beautiful examples of Chinese landscape design but also rich in cultural and symbolic meaning. The Summer Palace gardens reflect the values of the Qing Dynasty, the wisdom of Chinese philosophy, and the imperial family’s reverence for nature.

Today, the Summer Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to experience the beauty and tranquility of its gardens. These gardens, with their stunning views, symbolic features, and historical significance, remain a testament to the cultural legacy of China’s imperial past and the enduring influence of traditional Chinese garden design.