Situated on the northwestern outskirts of Beijing with a quiet and beautiful landscape, the Summer Palace was established in 1750 and used to be called the Garden of Clear Ripples. As an archetypal garden of the traditional gardening design, the Summer Palace, resorting to its surrounding mountains and water, radiates not only the grandeur of a Chinese imperial garden, but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination that best illustrates the guiding principle of the traditional Chinese gardening design:” The works of men should match the works of Heaven”.

Its Tower of Buddhist Incense, Long Corridor, Marble Boat, Suzhou Market Street, 17-Arch Bridge, Garden of Harmonious Interest and Great Pavilion have become the symbolic architecture known to every household. On the banks of the Kunming Lake, there are also the famous Marble Boat, Bronze Ox true to life, Zhichun Pavilion for spring sightseeing and other scenic architectural spots. In 1900, when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing, the Summer Palace was ravaged again. In 1902, the Qing Government ordered its rehabilitation.

In the late Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace became the main dwelling place of the top dominators of China. It is an important witness to the modern history of China, as well as the place where various major historical events took place. In 1924, the Summer Palace was opened to the public. On March , 1961, the Summer Palace was declared one of the first groups of historical and cultural heritage sites in China, to be placed under special state protection. On December 2, 1998, with its profound historical and cultural background, beautiful natural environment and remarkable protection achievements, the Summer Palace was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.