The Summer Palace is located in the northwest of Beijing, at the foot of the northwest mountains of the capital, just a few meters away from the ruins of the Old Summer Palace. It was a gift from Emperor Qianlong to his mother and was constructed between 1751 and 1764. The expansive 290-hectare area was primarily used as the imperial summer residence during the summer months. The buildings represent masterpieces of Chinese architecture, and the park is one of the most impressive gardens in China.
The layout of the Summer Palace was destroyed twice but rebuilt each time. Photographs taken before the destruction testified to the beauty of the park.
In 1924, the palace was opened to visitors by the widow of Emperor Changxu and has since become a major tourist attraction.
In 1998, UNESCO designated the Summer Palace as a World Heritage Site.
