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Why the Summer
Palace is special
It is one of the largest, best preserved, and most compelling royal gardens in the world.
Interesting insights about
the Summer Palace
 It boasts many different garden and architectural styles of
China, yet the whole is harmonious.
The Summer Palace site has had significant ups and downs
over the past three centuries - it became deteriorated or was destroyed then rebuilt several times. Today, the
Summer Palace is in a state of beauty and grandeur.
Popular attractions
and activities
The Summer Palace has numerous things to do and see. Two of the visitor favorites:
Marble Boat (see photo) - The Summer Palace's
most famous object. It is neither marble nor boat. It is permanently "docked" on the lake bed
next to the shore and is made of stone painted to look like marble.
Long Corridor - A covered
walk that runs 728 meters (nearly a half mile) along the lake. Its ceiling and columns are lavishly painted
with 10,000 different landscape and animal scenes.
Other popular don't miss attractions
and activities include:
  Seventeen
Arch Bridge (gracefully shaped 200 year old marble bridge) Hall
of Benevolence and Longevity (used for state receptions) Boat ride (on Kunming Lake)
Summer Palace tidbits
It covers some 300 hectares
(slightly over a square mile). Shallow lakes compose three quarters of it.
The Summer Palace is Yiheyan
in Chinese (loosely translates as "Garden of Nurtured Harmony").
Tip for your
vacation tour or trip
The Summer Palace is a favorite summer
weekend escape for Beijing residents. To avoid crowds, go on workdays.
Location
The Summer Palace is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of central Beijing.
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