The Summer Palace is situated on the west of Beijing and is 10 kilometers from the central

city. It is world famous and the leading classical garden in China. The Summer Palace was first built in 1153 and served as an imperial(帝王的) palace for short stays away from the capital.

The two main elements of the garden are Longevity Hill (万寿山) and Kunming Lake. The garden is divided into three parts: a political activity area; the living quarters of the empress; and a scenic area.

The buildings on the southern slope of Longevity Hill are characteristic of the garden. At the foot of Longevity Hill is the 728-meter-long passageway(长廊) which links the three areas together.

The bridges of the western causeway of Kunming Lake are replicas(复制品) of the bridges of famous Su and Bai causeways(堤道) on West Lake in Hangzhou.

Back Lake at the northern foot of Longevity Hill is natural and peaceful. On its bank is Suzhou Street, a replica of a commercial street in the old days.

The Summer Palace was opened to the public in 1924 and it takes one day to view it in detail. Public buses or special sightseeing coaches can take you there.

Summer Palace in Beijing

The location of the Summer Palace:【46】of Beijing.

The usage of the garden: for emperors'【47】.

Something linking the three areas:【48】.

The character of Back Lake:【49】.

The transportation tools to the garden: buses or【50】.