Kunming Lake

Covering three fourth of the area in Summer Palace, it is the most attractive water area in Beijing suburb. Originally, it is a natural lake formed by a number of springs in the northwestern district in Beijing. It has a long history. In Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), people grew lotus flowers in the lake and planted rice around the lake. Its picturesque beauty was often compared with the charming scenery around the West Lake. Even the emperors were fascinated with it and made boat trips on the lake. In Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), in order to build Qingyi Garden, the Emperor Qianlong ordered to expand the lake. He named it Kunming Lake in a way to praise its incomparable beauty. In 1888, the Empress Cixi made it Summer Palace to spend summers. Now, visitors can take a boat on the lake and enjoy the beautiful picture from far and near. Kunming Lake has become a necessary site for Beijing people to relax and spend holidays.

Back Lake

Wandering behind Longevity Hill, the water of Kunming Lake forms Back Lake. Visitors can get there by passing the Marble Boat toward the north. With fewer buildings north of the Summer Palace, the landscape surrounding Back Lake is secluded and elegant. Exuberantly green forests and twisted paths lend unique beauty in contrast to the scenery in front. Longevity Hill stands alongside Kunming Lake with water on three sides. Back Lake functions as a fireproof strolling place with a vista point. At its banks, there are the Studio of Distant Views (Tiaoyuanzhai), Garden of Harmonious Interests (Xiequyuan), and Suzhou Market Street . Since the Studio of Distant Views is high and faces the southern outside street, Empress Dowager Cixi used to stand there to see the common people's flower market on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.