The classic route through the Qing imperial garden: palace halls by the East Palace Gate, the painted Long Corridor along Kunming Lake, the climb up Longevity Hill to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, then a boat from the Marble Boat to South Lake Island and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
Best time: Early morning (the park opens at 6:00 Apr-Oct, 6:30 Nov-Mar); spring and September-October are less crowded, except the 1-7 October holiday. The dragon boats do not run from early November to April.
The route, stop by stop
- 1Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
Just inside the East Palace Gate: the hall where court sessions were held. 15 min
- 2Hall of Happiness and Longevity
Residential courtyard hall on the lakeshore at the east end of the Long Corridor. 15 min
- 3Long Corridor
Over 700 m covered walkway along the lake, its beams painted with scenes from myths and stories. 30 min
- 4Hall of Dispelling Clouds
Central hall complex at the foot of Longevity Hill. 15 min
- 5Tower of Buddhist Incense
Steep stairs up Longevity Hill to the tower and the best view over Kunming Lake. 40 min
- 6Marble Boat
Stone pavilion boat at the west end of the corridor; take the dragon boat across the lake from here (about 10 min, Apr to early Nov). 15 min
- 7Summer Palace
Island temple and pavilions in the lake. 20 min
- 8Summer Palace
The longest bridge in the garden, linking the island to the east shore. 15 min
- 9Bronze Ox
Bronze ox on the east causeway. 5 min
- 10New Palace Gate
Leave by the south-east gate. 5 min
More walks in Beijing
- Central Axis north: Jingshan to the Drum and Bell Towers
- Shichahai lakes loop: Yinding Bridge, Yandai Xiejie and Houhai
- Nanluoguxiang side hutongs to the Lama Temple
- Dongsi hutongs: Zhihua Temple to Dongsi Sitiao
- Qianmen, Dashilar and Yangmeizhu Xiejie to Liulichang
- Temple of Heaven at 7 am: east gate to Circular Mound
- Beihai to Jingshan at sunset
- Niujie and Fayuan Temple: the Hui quarter and Xuannan hutongs
- 798 Art Zone and 751 D-Park
- Ming City Wall Relics Park to the Ancient Observatory