The Summer Palace, one of China's famous gardens, is located in the western suburben Haidian District of Beijing, about 15 kilometres from the city centre. It was designated as the temporary dwelling place for emperors in the first year of the Zhenyuan Emperor in the Jin Dynasty (1153 A.D.). Later it served as the temporary dwelling place and imperial garden for successive emperors in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911 A.D.).

The whole garden consists of the Hill of Longevity, the Kunming Lake, and other buildings. occupying a total area of 290 hectares, with abount 3,000 halls and garden strctures divided into three regions: administrative, residential, and recreational. The chief sights, such as the Pavilion of Buddhist Incense, the Big Theatre at Deheyuan Garden, and the Palace of Dispelling Clouds, are examples of wooden buildings of the late Qing Dynasty. The layout of the whole garden has the rolling mountains of the Western Hills and the Jade Spring Hills as background, thus presenting a magnificient prospect. The Palace is famous for its green hills and fresh water, towering pavilions and winding corridors, as well as resplendent colours.

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