Kunming Lake

Kunming Lake is the principal artificial lake within the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) complex in Beijing, China, forming the majority of the palace grounds and designed as a large water feature for imperial leisure. The lake covers roughly 2.2 square kilometres and is a central element of the palace landscape.

The lake offers wide open views across water toward the palace’s Longevity Hill, numerous bridges and ornamental islands, and is commonly experienced by short boat trips or walks along the eastern promenade. Notable structures associated with the lake include the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and island pavilions; the waterside setting frames photography of the palace architecture and landscaped features.

Kunming Lake was created and reshaped during imperial building campaigns of the Qing dynasty as part of the Summer Palace complex; the larger site saw major reconstruction and landscaping in the 18th and 19th centuries. The lake and surrounding palace grounds are preserved as part of a cultural heritage ensemble representing imperial garden design.

The lake sits in the northwest of central Beijing within the Summer Palace grounds in Haidian District, approximately 8-12 km northwest of Tiananmen Square depending on route. It is surrounded by urban parkland and linked by road and subway to the city centre.

• Photography tip: Best light for photography is in the morning and late afternoon when views across the water include the palace buildings on Longevity Hill.
• Boating: Boat hire is available seasonally for short trips across the lake, offering viewpoints of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the palace facades.

What to See #

• Seventeen-Arch Bridge: A long stone bridge with 17 arches that links the eastern shore to the central island and is a common photo spot, spanning about 150 metres.
• Islands and causeways: A small island and reed-fringed islets in the lake that form part of the Summer Palace layout and are reached by boats or the bridge.