Marble Boat
The Marble Boat is a famous waterside structure in the Summer Palace. It is renowned as the only building in the palace complex featuring Western-style architecture, with an exterior designed to resemble a paddle steamer.
The Marble Boat was constructed in 1755, originally featuring a traditional Chinese wooden pavilion-style superstructure floating on Kunming Lake, which was divided into front, middle, and rear cabins, with the rear cabin being two stories tall and adorned with exquisite artworks. Besides admiring the scenery here, every lunar April, emperors would accompany their mother to conduct animal release ceremonies here, demonstrating their Buddhist devotion.
Despite its ship-like appearance, the Marble Boat is not a functional vessel but serves as a decorative and symbolic structure. There are two reasons behind its construction.
First, it reflects an ancient Chinese philosophical belief: "the people are like water which can both carry and capsize the boat of governance." Emperor Qianlong (1711~1799) built this stone vessel in the Summer Palace as a reminder to himself and future rulers of the importance of maintaining public support. The boat's sturdy stone base symbolized the Qing dynasty's enduring and unshakable power.
Second, the boat's construction is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient Chinese literati building "stone boats" in their gardens. This stationary vessel, crafted entirely from stone and permanently moored at the water's edge, embodies a philosophy of "eternal stillness", symbolizing the literati’s conscious choice to distance themselves from political turmoil and pursue spiritual freedom.
In 1860, the structure was destroyed by fire, leaving only its stone foundation. In 1893, Empress Dowager Cixi (1835~1908) ordered the construction of a two-story Western-style cabin on the original base, creating its current appearance.
Cixi frequently dined here for breakfast and late-night meals, renaming it the "Qingyan Boat". This name not only reflected its function as a leisure spot for dining and sightseeing but also carried the auspicious meaning of "national peace and prosperity" in Chinese.
The Marble Boat resembles a grand Western-style cruise ship, measuring 36 meters in length and 8 meters in height. With most of the vessel carved from massive stone blocks, its two-tiered cabin structure features wooden frameworks painted with marble-like patterns match the overall aesthetic.
The cabin floor is paved with decorative tiles, while arched windows are fitted with multicolored glass, and the roof is adorned with intricate brick carvings. On either side of the hull, stone paddle wheels replicate the design of 19th-century Western steamships.
At each corner of the cabin stand four hollow pillars. During rainfall, water collected on the roof flows down through these pillars and sprays out from dragon-headed spouts on the hull into the lake. This not only enhances the scenic charm but also protects the structure from water logging.
While the Marble Boat's interior is closed to visitors and boarding isn't allowed, you can still enjoy a full view from the waterfront at the western end of the Long Gallery.
Entering the Summer Palace through the East Palace Gate, walk west along the Long Gallery for about 24 minutes to reach the Marble Boat. Alternatively, the North Ruyi Gate is the closest entrance—just a 7-minute walk—but note that transportation access there is less convenient.
The Marble Boat occasionally lights up with warm yellow hues at night, creating a striking contrast against the cool tones of the lake and sky. This illumination enhances the imperial garden’s elegance and tranquility, offering a completely different experience from daytime visits and unique photo opportunities. Many visitors report that the lighting often occurs around 19:00 on weekends and holidays—plan your visit accordingly if interested.
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| Marble Boat |
When & Why was the boat built?
The Marble Boat was constructed in 1755, originally featuring a traditional Chinese wooden pavilion-style superstructure floating on Kunming Lake, which was divided into front, middle, and rear cabins, with the rear cabin being two stories tall and adorned with exquisite artworks. Besides admiring the scenery here, every lunar April, emperors would accompany their mother to conduct animal release ceremonies here, demonstrating their Buddhist devotion.
Despite its ship-like appearance, the Marble Boat is not a functional vessel but serves as a decorative and symbolic structure. There are two reasons behind its construction.
 |
| Marble Boat |
First, it reflects an ancient Chinese philosophical belief: "the people are like water which can both carry and capsize the boat of governance." Emperor Qianlong (1711~1799) built this stone vessel in the Summer Palace as a reminder to himself and future rulers of the importance of maintaining public support. The boat's sturdy stone base symbolized the Qing dynasty's enduring and unshakable power.
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| Marble Boat VS Real Boat |
Second, the boat's construction is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient Chinese literati building "stone boats" in their gardens. This stationary vessel, crafted entirely from stone and permanently moored at the water's edge, embodies a philosophy of "eternal stillness", symbolizing the literati’s conscious choice to distance themselves from political turmoil and pursue spiritual freedom.
In 1860, the structure was destroyed by fire, leaving only its stone foundation. In 1893, Empress Dowager Cixi (1835~1908) ordered the construction of a two-story Western-style cabin on the original base, creating its current appearance.
Cixi frequently dined here for breakfast and late-night meals, renaming it the "Qingyan Boat". This name not only reflected its function as a leisure spot for dining and sightseeing but also carried the auspicious meaning of "national peace and prosperity" in Chinese.
What does the Marble Boat look like?
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The Marble Boat resembles a grand Western-style cruise ship, measuring 36 meters in length and 8 meters in height. With most of the vessel carved from massive stone blocks, its two-tiered cabin structure features wooden frameworks painted with marble-like patterns match the overall aesthetic.
The cabin floor is paved with decorative tiles, while arched windows are fitted with multicolored glass, and the roof is adorned with intricate brick carvings. On either side of the hull, stone paddle wheels replicate the design of 19th-century Western steamships.
 |
| Marble Boat |
At each corner of the cabin stand four hollow pillars. During rainfall, water collected on the roof flows down through these pillars and sprays out from dragon-headed spouts on the hull into the lake. This not only enhances the scenic charm but also protects the structure from water logging.
Tips for Visiting the Marble Boat
View Only from Shore
While the Marble Boat's interior is closed to visitors and boarding isn't allowed, you can still enjoy a full view from the waterfront at the western end of the Long Gallery.
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How to Get There
Entering the Summer Palace through the East Palace Gate, walk west along the Long Gallery for about 24 minutes to reach the Marble Boat. Alternatively, the North Ruyi Gate is the closest entrance—just a 7-minute walk—but note that transportation access there is less convenient.
Evening Illumination
The Marble Boat occasionally lights up with warm yellow hues at night, creating a striking contrast against the cool tones of the lake and sky. This illumination enhances the imperial garden’s elegance and tranquility, offering a completely different experience from daytime visits and unique photo opportunities. Many visitors report that the lighting often occurs around 19:00 on weekends and holidays—plan your visit accordingly if interested.
Next: Kunming Lake
Related Link: Summer Palace Travel Tips
- Last updated on Jan. 09, 2026 by Jally Zhang -