History

Pre-Qing dynasty

The origins of the Summer Palace date back to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. In 1153, when the fourth ruler, Wanyan Liang (r. 1150–1161), moved the Jin capital from Huining Prefecture (in present-day Acheng District, Harbin, Heilongjiang) to Yanjing (present-day Beijing), he ordered the construction of a palace in the Fragrant Hills and Jade Spring Hill in what is now the northwest of Beijing.

Around 1271, after the Yuan dynasty established its capital in Khanbaliq (present-day Beijing), the engineer Guo Shoujing initiated a waterworks project to direct the water from Shenshan Spring (神山泉) in Baifu Village (白浮村), Changping into the Western Lake (西湖), which would later become Kunming Lake. Guo aimed to create a water reservoir that would ensure a stable water supply for the palace.

In 1494, the Hongzhi Emperor (r. 1487–1505) of the Ming dynasty had a Yuanjing Temple (圓靜寺) built for his wet nurse, Lady Luo, in front of Jar Hill (瓮山), which was later renamed Longevity Hill. The temple fell into disrepair over the years and was abandoned, and the area around the hill became lush with vegetation. The Zhengde Emperor (r. 1505–21), who succeeded the Hongzhi Emperor, built a palace on the banks of the Western Lake and turned the area into an imperial garden. He renamed Jar Hill "Golden Hill" (金山) and named the lake "Golden Sea" (金海). Both the Zhengde Emperor and the Wanli Emperor (r. 1572–1620) enjoyed taking boat rides on the lake. During the reign of the Tianqi Emperor (r. 1620–27), the court eunuch Wei Zhongxian took the imperial garden as his personal property.

Qing dynasty

In the early Qing dynasty, Jar Hill served as the site for horse stables in the imperial palace. Eunuchs who committed offences were sent there to weed and cut grass. At the beginning of the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1735-1796), many imperial gardens were built in the area around present-day Beijing's Haidian District and accordingly, water consumption increased tremendously. At the time, much of the water stored in the Western Lake came from the freshwater spring on Jade Spring Hill, while a fraction came from the Wanquan River (萬泉河). Any disruption of the water flow from Jade Spring Hill would have affected the capital's water transport and water supply systems.

Around 1749, the Qianlong Emperor decided to build a palace in the vicinity of Jar Hill and the Western Lake to celebrate the 60th birthday of his mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing. He ordered the Western Lake to be expanded further west to create two more lakes, Gaoshui Lake (高水湖) and Yangshui Lake (養水湖), with the aim of improving the capital's waterworks system. The three lakes served not only as a reservoir for the imperial gardens but also as a source of water for the surrounding agricultural areas. The Qianlong Emperor collectively named the three lakes "Kunming Lake" after the Kunming Pool (昆明池) constructed by Emperor Wu (2nd century BC) in the Han dynasty for the training of his navy. The earth excavated from the expansion of Kunming Lake was used to enlarge Jar Hill, which was renamed "Longevity Hill". The Summer Palace, whose construction was completed in 1764 at a cost of over 4.8 million silver taels, was initially named "Qingyiyuan" (清漪園; 'Gardens of Clear Ripples"').

The design of the Summer Palace was based on a legend in Chinese mythology about three divine mountains in the East Sea, namely Penglai, Fangzhang (方丈) and Yingzhou (瀛洲). The three islands in Kunming Lake – Nanhu Island (南湖島), Tuancheng Island (團城島) and Zaojiantang Island (藻鑒堂島) – were made to represent the three mountains, while the lake itself was based on a blueprint of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Moreover, many architectural features in the palace were also built to resemble or imitate various attractions around China. For example, the Phoenix Pier (鳳凰墩) represented Lake Tai; the Jingming Tower (景明樓) resembled Yueyang Tower, Hunan; the Wangchan Pavilion (望蟾閣) resembled Yellow Crane Tower; the shopping streets were designed to imitate those in Suzhou and Yangzhou. The centrepiece of the Summer Palace was the "Great Temple of Gratitude and Longevity" (大報恩延壽寺). There was also a Long Corridor more than 700 metres (2,300 ft) long which was furnished with artistic decorations. As the palace was not equipped with facilities for long-term residence and the daily administration of state affairs, the Qianlong Emperor never dwelt there and only remained for the day whenever he visited it.

As the Qing Empire started declining after the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (r. 1820–1850), the Summer Palace gradually became more neglected and the architectural features on the three islands were ordered to be dismantled because the costs of maintenance were too high. During the Second Opium War, British and French forces occupied the Summer Palace and the nearby Old Summer Palace in December 1860, sacking both and burning the latter. The occupations came as part of an invasion of Northern China by Britain and France to force the government of the Qing dynasty to come to the negotiating table. Despite being looted, the Summer Palace was not burned, however, as the British High Commissioner to China, Lord Elgin, had not issued orders to do so.

Between 1884–95, during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (r. 1875–1908), Empress Dowager Cixi reportedly ordered up to 22 million silver taels,4 originally designated for upgrading the Qing navy (the Beiyang Fleet), to be used for reconstructing and enlarging the Summer Palace to celebrate her 60th birthday; however, some other sources state that a maximum of six million taels were allotted, of which none came from the Navy's capital budget, but only the accrued bank interest paid.5 As the funds were limited, the construction works were concentrated on the buildings at the front of Longevity Hill and the dams around Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace was also given its present-day Chinese name, "Yiheyuan" (頤和園), in 1888. In 1900, towards the end of the Boxer Rebellion, the Summer Palace suffered damage again when the forces of the Eight-Nation Alliance destroyed the imperial gardens and seized many artifacts stored in the palace. The palace was restored two years later.

Post-Qing dynasty

In 1912, following the abdication of the Puyi, the Last Emperor, the Summer Palace became the private property of the former imperial family of the Qing Empire. Two years later, the Summer Palace was opened to the public and entry tickets were sold. In 1924, after Puyi was expelled from the Forbidden City by the warlord Feng Yuxiang, the Beijing municipal government took charge of administering the Summer Palace and turned it into a public park.

After 1949, the Summer Palace briefly housed the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party. Many of Mao Zedong's friends and key figures in the Communist Party, such as Liu Yazi and Jiang Qing, also lived there. Since 1953, many major restoration and renovation works have been done on the Summer Palace, which is now open to the public as a tourist attraction and park.

In November 1998, the Summer Palace was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Towards the end of 2006, the Chinese government also started distributing commemorative coins to celebrate the Summer Palace as a cultural relic of the world.

Attractions

The entire Summer Palace is centered around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, with the latter covering about three-quarters of the area. Most of the important buildings were built along the north–south axis of Longevity Hill, which is divided into the front hill and the back hill. There are three small islands within Kunming Lake: Nanhu Island, Zaojiantang Island and Zhijingge Island. The West Dam of Kunming Lake divides the lake into two. The East Dam was constructed during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor. The attractions in the Summer Palace may be divided into six different sections or scenic areas: the Halls, Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, the Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area, the Long Corridor, and the Central Axis area. Summer Palace is among the most-visited destinations in China, ranking in the top five, and attracts about 10 million tourists annually.

Front Hill

• Eastern Palace Gate (simplified Chinese: 东宫门; traditional Chinese: 東宮門; pinyin: Dōnggōngmén): The main entrance to the Summer Palace. The two bronze lions on either side of the gate are preserved from the Qianlong Emperor's time while the Cloud Dragon Steps in front of the gate are relics from the Old Summer Palace. The three Chinese characters "Yiheyuan" on the sign above the gate were written by the Guangxu Emperor.

• Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁寿殿; 仁壽殿; Rénshòudiàn): The hall where court sessions were held. It was called the "Hall of Good Governance" (勤政殿) in the Qianlong Emperor's time but was given its present-day name by the Guangxu Emperor. The well north of the hall is called the "Year-Prolonging Well" (延年井) while the rockery behind the hall was designed to imitate the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou. The stalactites are relics from the Old Summer Palace.

• Hall of Jade Billows (玉澜堂; 玉瀾堂; Yùlántáng): Located west of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. It was the living quarters of the Qing emperors. The Guangxu Emperor was once confined here by Empress Dowager Cixi.

• Yiyun Hall (宜芸馆; 宜芸館; Yíyúnguǎn): Located north of the Hall of Jade Billows. It was originally a library in the Qianlong Emperor's time but became the living quarters of Empress Longyu in the Guangxu Emperor's time. It housed a collection of stone carvings of calligraphy written by the Qianlong Emperor.

• Dehe Garden ru (德和园; 德和園; Déhéyuán): Houses the three-storey Great Opera Hall (大戏楼; 大戲樓), where opera performances were staged.

• Hall of Joy and Longevity (乐寿堂; 樂壽堂; Lèshòutáng): The living quarters of Empress Dowager Cixi.

• Long Corridor (长廊; 長廊; Chángláng): Stretches from the Hall of Joy and Longevity in the east to Shizhang Pavilion in the west. The entire corridor is 728 metres (2,388 ft) long and contains artistic decorations, including paintings of famous places in China, and scenes from Chinese mythology and folktales, The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars and the Four Great Classical Novels.

• Hall of Dispelling Clouds (排云殿; 排雲殿; Páiyúndiàn): Situated on the centre of the central axis of Longevity Hill. Originally the Great Temple of Gratitude and Longevity (大報恩延壽寺), it was renovated in 1892 and became a place for Empress Dowager Cixi to receive guests, host grand ceremonies, and celebrate her birthday.

• Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁; 佛香閣; Fóxiānggé): Located right in the centre of the front hill of Longevity Mountain. The tower was originally meant to be a nine-storey Buddhist pagoda built to resemble the Yellow Crane Tower. The Qianlong Emperor ordered the construction to be stopped just after the eighth storey was built. The tower was built on a 20 m (66 ft) tall stone base, measures three stories and 41 metres (135 ft) in height, and is supported by eight ironwood pillars. Empress Dowager Cixi visited the tower to offer incense and pray.

• Sea of Wisdom (智慧海; Zhìhuìhǎi): Located on the peak of Longevity Hill. It was built from coloured glass and houses over 1,000 statues of Buddhist figures. It was partially damaged during the Cultural Revolution.

• Stele of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake (万寿山昆明湖碑; 萬壽山昆明湖碑; Wànshòushān Kūnmínghú Bēi): Located east of the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. The stele bears six Chinese characters written by the Qianlong Emperor.

• Pavilion of Precious Clouds (宝云阁; 寶雲閣; Bǎoyúngé): Located west of the Tower of Buddhist Incense. It was originally called the "Bronze Pavilion" (铜亭; 銅亭) and was built in 1755. The doors and windows were stolen by soldiers from the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900. In the 1980s, they were purchased by overseas Chinese and donated back to the Summer Palace.

• Stone Boat (石舫; Shífǎng): The Stone Boat is 36 metres (118 ft) long. The original wooden boat was burnt in 1860 and has been replaced with a marble copy with western-style paddle wheels.1

• Oriole-Listening Hall (听鹂馆; 聽鸝館; Tīnglíguǎn): Located west of Longevity Hill. It used to be where Empress Dowager Cixi watched opera performances. The hall is now converted into a restaurant specialising in Qing imperial cuisine.

• Huazhongyou (画中游; 畫中游; Huàzhōngyóu): Located west of Longevity Hill, just above the Oriole-Listening Hall, with a view over Kunming Lake.

• East of the Front Hill (前山东部; 前山東部; Qiánshān Dōngbù): Has many pavilions and halls.

• West of the Front Hill (前山西部; Qiánshān Xībù): Has many pavilions and halls.

• West of the Long Corridor (长廊西端; 長廊西端; Chángláng Xīduān): There is a "West Four Hall" (西四厅; 西四廳) located north of Shizhang Pavilion. The Guangxu Emperor's Consort Zhen was confined in the hall by Empress Dowager Cixi. It used to be the west entrance into the Summer Palace during the Qianlong Emperor's time.

Back Hill

• Suzhou Street (苏州街; 蘇州街; Sūzhōujiē): In 1762, after returning from touring the Jiangnan region, the Qianlong Emperor ordered the construction of a shopping street resembling Shantang Street in Suzhou. The street was destroyed by the British and French in 1860 and was only restored in 1988.

• Garden of Harmonious Pleasures (谐趣园; 諧趣園; Xiéqùyuán): Located in the northeast corner of the Summer Palace. In 1751, when the Qianlong Emperor toured the Jiangnan region, he was so impressed with Jichang Garden in Wuxi that he ordered a Huishan Garden (惠山園) to be built in the Summer Palace modelled after Jichang Garden. Huishan Garden was renamed "Xiequ Garden" in 1811.

• Four Great Regions (四大部洲; Sìdàbùzhōu): Located on the centre of the central axis of the back hill. It was designed to resemble the Samye Monastery in Tibet and houses statues of Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha and Amitābha. It was destroyed by the British and French in 1860 but was restored later.

• Flower Pavilion and Glass Tower (花承阁琉璃塔; 花承閣琉璃塔; Huāchénggé Liúlítǎ): Located east of the back hill. It was destroyed by the British and French in 1860; only the Glass Tower remains. During the Cultural Revolution, the Buddhist statue at the bottom of the tower was disfigured by the Red Guards.

• Former Location of Gaichunyuan (赅春园遗址; 賅春園遺址; Gāichūnyuán Yízhǐ): Located west of the back hill. A small garden was built there during the Qianlong Emperor's time and the emperor also had his study room there. Gaichunyuan was mostly destroyed by the British and French in 1860.

• Former Location of Qiwang Pavilion (绮望轩遗址; 綺望軒遺址; Qǐwàngxuān Yízhǐ): Located west of the back hill beside the lake. A small garden was built there during the Qianlong Emperor's time.

Eastern Dam

• Zhichun Pavilion (知春亭 Zhīchūntíng|labels=no): Located on the east bank of Kunming Lake at the south of the Hall of Jade Billows.

• Wenchang Tower (文昌閣 Wénchānggé): Built to resemble a city gate. It served as an important entry point into the Summer Palace from the east and south during the Qianlong Emperor's time. The Wenchang Hall (文昌院), often called a Gallery, is located beside Wenchang Tower and displays cultural artefacts from the Summer Palace.

• Kuoru Pavilion (廓如亭 Kuòrútíng|labels=no): Situated in the middle of the eastern dam, east of the 17 Openings Bridge. It covered an area of .

• Bronze Ox (銅牛 Tóngniú): A bronze statue of an ox built in 1755.

• Yelü Chucai Shrine (耶律楚材祠 Yēlǜ Chǔcái Cí): A shrine built by the Qianlong Emperor to commemorate Yelü Chucai, an influential statesman in the Mongol Empire. It was closed down after 2003 and its front section was converted into a souvenir shop.

Nanhu Island

• 17-Arch Bridge (十七孔桥; 十七孔橋; Shíqīkǒngqiáo): Has 17 different types of arches on it. It incorporates features of the Precious Belt Bridge in Suzhou and the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The entire bridge is 150 metres (490 ft) long and 8 metres (26 ft) wide.

• Dragon King Temple (龙王庙; 龍王廟; Lóngwángmiào): A temple built to worship the Dragon King.

• Hanxu Hall (涵虚堂; 涵虛堂; Hánxūtáng): Located the north of Nanhu Island, directly facing the Tower of Buddhist Incense on the north bank.

Western Dam

• Lake Dividing Bridge (界湖橋 Jièhúqiáo): The bridge that separates Kunming Lake from the northern lake.

• Jade Belt Bridge (玉帶橋 Yùdàiqiáo)

• Binfeng Bridge (豳風橋 Bīnfēngqiáo)

• Jingming Tower (景明樓 Jǐngmínglóu): It was destroyed by the British and French in 1860 and was restored only in 1992. It was designed to imitate Yueyang Tower.

• Mirror Bridge (鏡橋 Jìngqiáo)

• White Silk Bridge (練橋 Liànqiáo)

• Willow Bridge (柳橋 Liǔqiáo): Located most south of the western dam.

• Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area (耕織圖景區 Gēngzhítú Jǐngqū): Built during the Qianlong Emperor's time, it was designed to bring to life a scene from the daily lives of peasants. This area was excluded from the Summer Palace after it was renovated by Empress Dowager Cixi. In 1949, the area was occupied by the People's Liberation Army and a paper-making factory was built there. In 2003, the area was incorporated back into the Summer Palace and some old buildings were restored.

Climate

Transport

• Beigongmen station on Line 4 of Beijing Subway, near the North Gate.

• Summer Palace West Gate station on Xijiao line of Beijing Subway, near the West Gate.

歷史

金朝貞元元年（1153年），金主完顏亮在香山、玉泉山設置金山行宮。元朝定都北京後，郭守敬開闢上游水源，引昌平白浮村神山泉水及沿途流水注入湖中，使水勢增大，成為保障宮廷用水和接濟漕運的蓄水庫。

明朝弘治七年（1494年），明孝宗乳母佐聖夫人羅氏在甕山前建圓靜寺，後來卻荒廢了。此後甕山周圍的園林逐漸增多。明武宗在湖濱修建行宮，稱「好山園」，為皇室園林，並將「甕山」之名改回為「金山」，甕山泊改名「金海」。明武宗、明神宗都曾在此泛舟遊樂。明熹宗時，宦官魏忠賢曾將好山園據為己有。清代初期，甕山成為宮廷養馬的草料場，有罪太監被發配至此鍘草。

頤和園的前身清漪園，則始建于清乾隆十五年（1750年）。北京西北郊原有甕山，為燕山余脈，山下有湖，稱七里澧、大泊湖、甕山泊、西湖。乾隆初年，北京西郊海澱一帶的園林增多，大量的園林用水使得耗水量與日俱增，當時園林用水除了流量較小的萬泉河水系外，多來自玉泉山發源、流入西湖之水，而這也是明代以來通惠河的水源，如果大量截流玉泉山水，將威脅到北京至通州一段的通惠河水位，直接影響到漕運。

清高宗乾隆十五年（1750年），為了籌備其母親崇慶皇太后（孝聖憲皇后）的六十歲大壽，乾隆帝以治理京西水系為藉口下令拓挖西湖，攔截西山、玉泉山、壽安山來水，並在西湖西邊開挖高水湖和養水湖，以此三湖作為蓄水庫，保証宮廷園林用水，並為周圍農田提供灌溉用水。乾隆帝以漢武帝挖昆明池操練水軍的典故將西湖更名為昆明湖，將挖湖土方堆築于湖北的甕山，並將甕山改名為萬壽山。乾隆二十九年（1764年）清漪園建成，耗銀480餘萬兩。

清漪園內以中國古代神話中「海上三仙山」的構思，在昆明湖及西側的兩湖內建造三個小島：南湖島、團城島、藻鑒堂島，以比喻海上三山：蓬萊、方丈、瀛洲。清漪園的總體規劃以杭州西湖為藍本，同時廣泛仿建江南園林及山水名勝，如鳳凰墩仿太湖、景明樓仿岳陽樓、望蟾閣仿黃鶴樓、後溪湖買賣街仿蘇州水街、西所買賣街仿揚州廿四橋等等。園內的主體建築為大報恩延壽寺，並有一條長達700多米尺的長廊，其建築與裝飾繪畫都相當精彩具有藝術價值以及眾多遊賞建築。

清漪園園中理政及居住性質的建築極少，乾隆帝遊覽清漪園均為當日往返，從未在園中居住。

清朝道光年後，由于國力衰弱，宣布撤三山陳設，清漪園逐漸荒廢。咸豐十年（1860年），清漪園在英法聯軍之役中被英法聯軍大火燒毀。

慈禧時期翻修

同治十二年（1873）九月，同治帝以方便慈禧太后頤養為名，降旨翻修頤和園，時估預算為：需銀1,000萬兩，木材一項，徑7寸至4尺多，長1丈5到4丈8的楠柏陳黃松木3,000根。而因朝廷長久鎮壓太平天國各省款項支絀，又逢值西北左宗棠正在鎮壓回民起義，捐輸和釐金全投入於戰事中，大清庫房無法增加負擔修園開支。十月二日時御史沈淮、帝師李鴻藻及翰林院侍講學士李文田等一道上疏勸諫皇帝放棄修園計劃，不果。同治十三年（1874）一月十九日正式開工，經費出自捐款40多萬，木材由人到福州買進口的。同治帝曾多次親自視察工地。與慈禧太后同族的兩廣總督瑞麟，時為贊成工程計劃者，而朝野大臣逐漸增多反對同治強推工程，如奕訢、奕譞、景壽等於三月二十四日共同上疏勸諫，不果。抵受同治壓力而出資2萬兩報效銀的恭親王，也於七月十六日上《敬陳先烈請皇上及時定志用濟艱危摺》要求停工，附議此摺的還有10多名御前大臣與軍機大臣。奕訢步步緊逼同治帝，而令其對奕訢懷恨在心，寫下朱諭革掉他一切職務。九月二日又改為只將他降為郡王，仍在軍機大臣上行走。三日又下朱諭，革去惇王奕誴、醇親王奕譞、科爾沁博多勒噶台親王伯彥訥謨祜、額駙景壽、貝勒奕劻、軍機大臣奕訢、文祥、沈桂芬、李鴻藻等10人的職務。後經慈禧太后遊說，同治才立即發出上諭，恢復奕訢世襲罔替的親王銜，以及恢復奕誴、奕譞的官職。

光緒十年至二十一年間（1884年至1895年），慈禧太后「還政」後退居休養，醇親王奕譞動用以北洋水師名義所籌措的經費重建清漪園。由于經費有限，乃集中財力修複前山建築群，並在昆明湖四周加築圍牆，並取「頤養沖和」之意將清漪園改名為頤和園，成為離宮。

File:Emperor's Summer Palace, Peking LACMA M.83.302.39.jpg|1860年受到英法聯軍破壞的頤和園，英軍攝影師拍攝。

File:Le Palais d』Été vu du bord du Lac.jpg|清末的頤和園，法軍拍攝（1900年－1901年）。

File:The Bronze Temple, Peking.jpg|園內萬壽山腳下的銅亭照，門窗柱頂皆用銅製，是中國寺廟中的一個例子

中華民國時期

清帝遜位後，頤和園成為清室私產，民國三年（1914年）始對外售票開放。民國十三年（1924年）清末帝溥儀被驅逐出宮後，頤和園被北平特別市政府接管，改為公園。

中華人民共和國時期

1949年北平和平解放後，中國共產黨主席毛澤東曾在頤和園益壽堂宴請民主黨派人士。多位中國共產黨政要以及毛澤東故交（如柳亞子、毛澤東夫人江青）均曾在園中的聽鸝館等處居住。1953年起，頤和園作為公園對公眾開放。

景觀

頤和園以萬壽山和昆明湖為主，昆明湖占頤和園總面積的四分之三。除了湖山，還有殿堂景區、耕織圖景區。重要建築集中在萬壽山南北中軸線上。萬壽山分為前山、後山兩部分，前山自東向西有養雲軒、無盡意軒、介壽堂、排雲殿、清華軒、寶雲閣、共一樓、聽鸝館、畫中游等知名景觀。後山南北中軸線為規模宏大的漢藏風格寺廟殿宇，包括四大部洲、須彌靈境、香岩宗印之閣等等，周圍點綴以數座小型山間園林，有蘇州街、寅輝城關、花承閣、賅春園、繪芳堂等建築。昆明湖中有三座島嶼，分別名為南湖島、藻鑒堂島、治鏡閣島。昆明湖由一條西堤將大湖一分為二，光緒時建立圍牆，修築起了東堤。

頤和園的主要區域可包括六個部分，分別是殿堂景區（是帝後料理朝政和住宿所在）、萬壽山景區、昆明湖景區、耕織圖景區（獨特的農牧色彩）、長廊景區和中軸景區（起于前山雲輝玉宇牌樓，止于後山慈福慧因牌樓）。作為一座知名園林博物館，擁有豐富制式的園林建築和景觀營造手法，涵蓋了中國傳統名著中的亭台樓閣，軒榭台堂。

前山

• 東宮門：為頤和園的正門。門前有兩隻銅獅，是清漪園遺物。宮門前的雲龍石階是圓明園安佑宮遺物。門額上「頤和園」三字為光緒帝御筆親賜。宮門前有大廣場，南北兩側為朝房，前有大影壁。

• 仁壽殿：在頤和園東宮門內，是慈禧太后、光緒帝夏天住在頤和園中臨朝聽政，接受恭賀，以及接見王公大臣和外國使節的地方，這裡也曾經是光緒皇帝頒詔實行變法維新的地方。始建於乾隆十五年（1750年）命名為勤政殿，意為不忘勤理政務。咸豐十年（1860年）遭到英法聯軍焚毀，光緒十二年（1886年）慈禧太后重建時，改為現名，意為施仁政者長壽之意，是頤和園聽政區的主要建築。殿為東向，面闊九間，單簷卷棚歇山頂，兩側有南北配殿，前有銅麒麟、壽星石，以及銅龍銅鳳的雕像，排列在仁壽殿外。是皇帝，皇后在舉行朝會大典時會點燃檀香。在中國古代龍就是皇帝的象徵，鳳就是皇后的象徵。按照慣例是龍在上，鳳在下，但是自慈禧太后掌權之後，就將龍，鳳的位置給顛倒變成鳳在上，龍在下，藉此來顯示出慈禧太后的權威。殿外懸掛著「大圓寶鏡」的匾額，意為當政者的智慧如同大圓寶鏡一樣，能夠洞察一切。殿內則是高懸著「壽協仁符」的金字匾額，意為仁與壽君子兼而有之。正殿內設置慈禧太后，光緒帝召見王公大臣時的寶座，寶座是用上等的紫檀木雕刻而成，椅背上刻有九條金龍，寶座的旁邊設有掌扇，鼎爐，鶴燈。東為仁壽門。殿北有水井「延年井」，殿後為巨大的獅子林假山，仿蘇州獅子林，堆山所用的劍石、石筍為圓明園正大光明殿後假山遺物。

• 玉瀾堂：在仁壽殿西，始建于乾隆十五年（1750年），咸豐十年（1860年），光緒十八年（1892年）重建，成為清朝皇帝在頤和園中處理政務和居住的地方。正殿即玉瀾堂，堂名是取自晉代詩人陸機的詩句「玉泉甬微瀾」當中的「玉」和「瀾」二字合併而成。內設有御案寶座。原為一四通八達的穿牆殿，光緒皇帝曾經被慈禧太后囚禁于此，因此殿北的後門用磚牆砌死。前院東配殿名霞芬室，西配殿為藕香榭，兩殿的門內亦可見圈禁光緒帝的圍牆，是一處重要的歷史遺蹟。正殿地磚上原有坑窪洞痕，為光緒帝被囚禁時用手杖擊地發洩而成。玉瀾堂西側另有夕佳樓，樓西為鄰水過道，蜿蜒曲折，稱為「九道灣」。

• 宜蕓館：在玉瀾堂北面，乾隆時是藏書之所，光緒年間改建為光緒皇帝的皇后隆裕的居所。院門為垂花門，稱宜蕓門，門內側牆壁上有10塊石刻，是乾隆帝摹寫的名家法帖，原藏于惠山園內，重建時移此。正殿為宜蕓館，東配房稱道存齋，西配房稱近西軒，均沿用乾隆時舊名。戊戌政變後，玉瀾堂與宜蕓館之間的通道也被磚牆切斷。宜蕓館北門有飛閣複道通至德和園戲台。

• 德和園大戲樓：頤和園中看戲的地方，原為乾隆時期的怡春堂。樓高21米，三層，結構與圓明園同樂園清音閣和避暑山莊清音閣相同（與紫禁城暢音閣不同的地方在于其外形是卷棚頂，且覆灰瓦），是清朝最大的戲樓之一，三層舞台間有天地井相通，南部有兩層的扮戲樓，北部為看戲用的頤樂殿。德和園之東為「東八所」（壽膳房、壽茶房、壽藥房）、養花廠和武備院等服務性院落，現被隔出頤和園，改為頤和安縵酒店。

• 樂壽堂：是慈禧太后在頤和園中居住的地方，始建於乾隆十五年（1750年），咸豐十年（1860年）遭到英法聯軍燒毀，光緒十三年（1887年）重建。門外有水木自親碼頭，有牌坊，是清宮中最早安裝電燈的地方之一。院子分為三路，中路樂壽堂為慈禧太后的居所，中部為起居空間，裡面設有用上等木材紫檀木雕刻而成的「御案寶座」後面放著十五折的玻璃屏風，兩側設有羽毛掌扇，羽毛掌扇不但裝飾精美，也可以顯示出慈禧太后的威儀。西間為寢宮，東間為更衣室。堂前陳列銅鹿、銅鶴、寶瓶，取「六合太平」諧音。寢宮內的文物有用珍珠、瑪瑙、翡翠製成的花籃，用金銀和各種寶石鑲嵌的四季花卉壁畫等。樂壽堂前有明代米萬鐘遺留的「青芝岫」巨石，院中栽培玉蘭、海棠、牡丹，取「玉堂富貴」之意。後院原有乾隆時期遺留之古玉蘭樹，2005年枯死移除。東跨院後半部稱「永壽堂」，為太監總管李蓮英住所。西跨院北部有假山，以及坐落于山上的扇面殿「揚仁風」。揚仁風院落西南角即長廊入口。

• 長廊：東起樂壽堂西院，西至石丈亭。長廊長達728米，共273間，其間點綴以留佳、寄瀾、秋水、清遙四座亭子，以及魚藻軒、對鷗舫兩座對稱的點景建築。長廊背山面水，平面呈展翅蝙蝠形狀（取福字諧音），不僅把各處景點有機地串聯起來，本身也是頤和園中一處最有名的景觀，長廊上有西遊記、三國演義、紅樓夢、西湖風景、二十四孝、中國古代詩歌和神話故事（如張敞畫眉、牛郎織女、張良納履等）、山水花鳥等圖畫，共計一萬七千餘幅。

• 排雲殿：在萬壽山前山中部的建築中軸線上，原址為大報恩延壽寺，1892年重修，是慈禧太后做壽時接受賀拜、舉行慶典的地方。「排雲」二字出自晉朝人郭璞「神仙排雲出，但見金銀台」的詩句。排雲殿正門為排雲門，門前有雲輝玉宇牌坊，兩側有十二屬相石。排雲門和二宮門之間有方形的蓮池，池上架金水橋，兩門內分別有紫霄、玉華、芳輝、雲錦四座配殿。排雲殿正殿為頤和園內等級最高的建築，建在九級漢白玉台基上，七間五進，重簷歇山頂，黃琉璃瓦，左右兩側有耳殿，各殿之間有複道相連，橫列共計二十一間。排雲殿之後為德輝殿，再後為高42米的石砌高台，沿台前八字樓梯「朝真磴」可向上通往佛香閣。排雲殿東為介壽堂，西為清華軒，清朝時均為命婦退居之所，現被頤和園作為別墅出租，不對遊人開放。介壽堂內有連理柏和紫玉蘭各一株，頗為名貴。

• 佛香閣：位于萬壽山前山正中位置，為鐵力木修建的八角形三層樓閣，高41米，上覆綠剪邊黃琉璃瓦，是頤和園內體量最大的建築。閣內供奉接引佛，每月朔望，慈禧太后在此燒香禮佛。佛香閣原為九層佛塔延壽塔，修築到第八層時乾隆帝下令拆毀，仿武昌黃鶴樓改建閣樓。

• 智慧海：位于萬壽山山巔，為無梁佛殿，全部為五色琉璃磚砌成，色彩絢麗，圖案精美，壁面嵌有1000多尊佛像。外牆下半部琉璃磚上的佛像頭部在文化大革命中被悉數鑿毀。殿內觀音像為乾隆時所造。殿前有琉璃牌坊，其上石額構成「眾香界」、「祗樹林」、「智慧海」、「吉祥雲」四句偈語。

• 萬壽山昆明湖碑：在排雲殿之東，碑上有乾隆御書「萬壽山昆明湖」六字，碑後是乾隆所撰《昆明湖記》，講述修建清漪園的理由。碑左右各有一座亭子，亭內有「轉輪藏」木塔，塔中有軸，推之使其轉動。此處仿杭州法雲寺藏經閣而建，不對遊客開放。

• 寶雲閣：在排雲殿之西。又稱「銅亭」。建于乾隆20年（1755年），高7.55米，重41.4萬斤，蟹青冷古銅色仿木結構，梁柱、椽瓦、斗拱、門窗、對聯全部用銅鑄成。門窗原被八國聯軍掠走，在1980年代由海外華人購得，捐給頤和園。

• 石舫：清晏舫，原名石舫。是一半入水的兩層石舫，長96米，上原有中式艙樓，1860年被焚，光緒重建時改為木製仿西洋大理石艙樓，並在石舫兩側加造明輪。石舫西北為小島，島上原有西所買賣街，兩岸仿揚州瘦西湖景色。

• 聽鸝館：在萬壽山前山西部。內有兩層戲樓一座，在修建德和園大戲樓前，這裡是慈禧太后聽戲的主要場所。館內古柏參天，館外有杏樹和翠竹。聽鸝館現為聽鸝館飯莊，經營仿清宮廷菜餚，內設貴壽廳、福壽廳、壽膳廳等十個餐廳。

• 畫中游：在萬壽山西部，依山而建，中為八角形兩層樓閣，東西為兩樓兩亭，東樓名「借秋」，西樓名「愛山」。各建築間有爬山遊廊和石洞相通，錯綜複雜，猶如迷宮。站在亭上四周環顧，有置身于畫中之感。

• 前山東部：有景福閣、自在莊、含新亭、養雲軒、意遲雲在、千峰彩翠、無盡意軒、寫秋軒、國花台等點景建築。無盡意軒和自在莊清朝為命婦退息之所。景福閣為慈禧太后觀賞雨景、月景之地。

• 前山西部：有邵窩殿、雲松巢、湖山真意、山色湖光共一樓、石丈亭等點景建築。邵窩殿之名取南北朝時宋朝邵康「安樂窩」典故，雲松巢取李白「吾將此地巢雲松」詩句，兩殿現均為頤和園工作人員休息處。

長廊西端，石丈亭北有一組院落，稱「西四廳」，戊戌變法失敗後，慈禧太后移居頤和園時將珍妃囚禁于此。西四廳西北有貝闕，又稱宿雲簷，乾隆時是清漪園的西門，上供關帝銀像。貝闕向北有並列的石橋兩座，東橋低平，西橋為拱橋。清漪園時期園牆從兩橋中間穿過，西橋在園外，東橋在園內。

File:Peking Sommerpalast Longivity Hill-20071020-RM-091840.jpg|萬壽山上的佛香閣，前景為昆明湖

File:Longevity Hill Buddhist Fragrance Pavilion & Cruise Ships.jpg|昆明湖西側眺望萬壽山及佛香閣，下面是畫舫和一眾遊船

File:Binfeng Bridge in Summer Palace 2022.jpg|豳風橋

File:Imperial Summer Palace2.jpg|仁壽殿

File:SummerPalace2.jpg|樂壽堂

File:Summer_Palace_at_Beijing_21.jpg|頤和園長廊

File:Pai Yun Dian.jpg|排雲殿

File:Suzhou-Strasse Sommerpalast.jpg|蘇州街

File:涵遠堂.JPG|諧趣園正殿涵遠堂

File:Zhong Xiang Jie.jpg|眾香界

File:Summer Palace - Marble Boat.jpg|石舫

File:Wenchang Tower or Pavillion, Summer Palace, Beijing, 2018.jpg|文昌閣

File:Jade belt bridge - Summer Palace, Beijing.jpg|玉帶橋

File:Yiheyuan stele.jpg|耕織圖石碑

File:Yiheyuan backhill temple.jpg|須彌靈境

File:SummerPalace6.jpg|聽鸝館

File:Peking Opera Stage in Garden of Virtue and Harmony.jpg|德和園大戲樓

Peking Sommerpalast Zhuanlunzang Pavillon-20071020-RM-100802.jpg|萬壽山昆明湖碑

後山

• 蘇州街：又稱買賣街。乾隆二十七年壬午（1762年），乾隆帝下江南，到蘇州遊歷唐代白居易修建的七里山塘，回京後在頤和園後湖仿照七里山塘的模樣修建了蘇州街。1860年被英法聯軍焚毀，光緒時期重建頤和園時未修複，1988年複建。

• 諧趣園：位于頤和園東北角。此園是乾隆於乾隆十六年（1751年——下江南時，看了無錫惠山腳下的寄暢園，仿其意而建，自然保有江南園林之美。諧趣園原名惠山園，1811年曾經改建並改為現名，為萬壽山東麓的園中園。這座園有「到門唯見水，入室盡疑舟」之美譽。園內水多橋多，最著名的橋是知魚橋。此橋橋身低平，貼近水面，能讓遊客觀賞魚群在水中來回穿行。橋坊上有乾隆皇帝命題的詩句。諧趣園的北部是正殿涵遠堂，此堂原為慈禧太后在此水池釣魚時休息之用，殿內裝飾精美雅緻，在頤和園里可說是上乘之作。另外，環繞水池的遊廊是一條景色多變的的遊覽路線，隨著每一轉折，必有新的景色出現在眼前。

• 四大部洲：位于後山中部中軸線上，仿照西藏扎囊縣的著名古寺桑耶寺，為漢藏風格的宗教建築群，居中為漢式建築香嚴宗印之閣，內供藥師、如來、阿彌陀三尊佛像，香嚴宗印之閣四周環繞藏式的四大部洲殿、八小部洲殿、日殿、月殿、四色塔。承德避暑山莊外八廟中的普寧寺布局與此相似。香嚴宗印之閣下原為須彌靈境殿，1860年被焚毀，未修複。須彌靈境殿前為松堂，是一座長方形廣場。

• 花承閣琉璃塔：位于後山東部，原為半圓形高台建築，1860年被焚毀，現存琉璃塔一座，太湖石及漢白玉浮雕海獸台基一座，以及柱礎、石階遺蹟。琉璃塔下部的佛像頭部被紅衛兵鑿除。

• 賅春園遺址：位于後山西部，為乾隆時修建的一處小型園林，園內最大建築為清可軒，是乾隆帝的書房，依崖而建，以石崖為其南牆。西隔桃花溝為丁香院，院南山崖上有香雲窟石洞，洞內有乾隆題詩和石座，洞西有十八羅漢摩崖石刻。賅春園1860年被焚毀，僅存園門一座，但台階、殿基和部分圍牆保存完好。

• 綺望軒遺址：位于後山西部山腳下，後湖旁。為乾隆時修建的一處小型園林，構造巧妙，地面隱蔽處有山洞，向下可直通湖邊石岸碼頭。

東堤

• 知春亭：位于玉瀾堂以南昆明湖東岸的島上，重簷四角攢尖頂，四面臨水。亭畔山石桃柳點綴，每當湖水解凍，知春亭總是向人們報以春意。每年昆明湖解凍，多由此始。

• 文昌閣：得名於文運昌盛，是一座城關式的建築。清漪園時期，文昌閣為其東南門，上有三層高閣，重建頤和園時改為兩層建築。清漪園時期，文昌閣城關是從東、南方向入園的一座重要城門。城關上原是三層閣，光緒年間改建成兩層閣。文昌閣旁有新建的文昌院，展出頤和園文物。

• 廓如亭：坐落于東堤中部，十七孔橋東端。重簷八角攢尖頂，占地130平方米，由內外三層24根圓柱和16根方柱支撐，是中國單體體量最大的亭式建築。

• 銅牛：鑄於1755年，在牛背上刻有「金牛銘」敘述了鑄造的意義。直到如今，銅牛已看過昆明湖的各種滄桑變化。銅牛旁有廓如亭，是中國園林中體量最大的園亭。

• 耶律楚材祠：遼國宗室、蒙元名臣耶律楚材的墳墓，乾隆帝修建清漪園時加以保留，並在墓上加蓋房屋，改為祠堂。2003年後已關閉，前半部改為出售旅遊紀念品的商亭。

• 繡漪橋：位于東堤最南端，又稱「羅鍋橋」，是昆明湖的出水口、昆玉河的起點，外觀與西堤的玉帶橋相似，但從橫額旁到同側對聯上方只有6根望柱（玉帶橋則有7根）。

南湖島

南湖島在昆明湖的南部，占地1公頃左右，通過十七孔橋與東堤相連。島上有堆起的假山。有擺渡船來往于南湖島和長廊附近的碼頭。島上有涵虛堂、鑒遠堂、月波樓等建築。

• 十七孔橋：兼有蘇州寶帶橋與北京盧溝橋的特點，橋上雕有神態不同的石獅共544隻，各石獅威猛兇武，形象生動。橋長150米，寬8米，呈拱形，有十七個不同大小橋洞。

• 龍王廟：即廣潤靈雨祠，宮中祈雨之所。為乾隆拓挖昆明湖之前遺留的重要建築。昆明湖向東開拓時，保留廟址及周圍土地，形成南湖島。慈禧太后由水路入頤和園時均在祠前碼頭下船，進入祠內燒香。

• 涵虛堂：在南湖島北端，隔湖與佛香閣相望。乾隆時名為望蟾閣，為三層建築，仿江西滕王閣，是觀看昆明湖水操的地方，光緒重修時改為單層建築。樓下有石洞和碼頭。

File:Hall of Embracing the Universe (20201222154651).jpg|涵虛堂

File:Temple of Timely Rains and Extensive Moisture (20201222153617).jpg|廣潤靈雨祠

西堤

西堤是仿照杭州西湖的蘇堤建造的，一共有六座橋，分別是，界湖橋，豳風橋，玉帶橋，鏡橋，練橋，柳橋。還有一座景明樓。

• 界湖橋：是昆明湖與後湖兩湖之間的界橋。

• 玉帶橋：是西堤六橋中唯一一座拱橋，橋下原為通往玉泉山的水路。過去清宮帝後由頤和園乘船至玉泉山，便由此橋下通過。其外觀與東南的繡漪橋相似。

• 豳風橋：原名桑苧橋，為避咸豐帝名諱而改名。橋上有亭。

• 景明樓：名字得自宋代范仲淹《岳陽樓記》中「至若春和景明」一句，樓形製取自元代趙孟俯所繪之《荷亭納涼圖》。1860年被焚毀，1992年重建。樓分三座，並列排開，周圍景色開闊，有置身岳陽樓之感。

• 鏡橋：始建于乾隆年間，光緒時重建。橋名出自唐代詩人李白「兩水夾明鏡，雙橋落彩虹」的詩句。

• 練橋：名字出于南朝詩人謝眺《晚登三山遠望京邑》：「餘霞散成綺，澄江靜如練」的詩意。

• 柳橋：名字出自杜甫詩句「柳橋晴有絮」，在西堤的最南側。

• 耕織圖景區：乾隆時修建，模仿民間耕織生活場景，有延賞齋、蠶神廟、玉河齋、水村居。慈禧太后重修頤和園時將其圈出牆外，設立水操學堂。1949年後耕織圖地區被中國人民解放軍占用，創辦造紙廠。為申報世界文化遺產項目，頤和園于2003年將耕織圖地區劃入園內，並複建了古建築。該景區內有崑崙石碑「耕織圖」、水操學堂、水村居、日本贈送給慈禧太后的永和輪殘骸等展品。

頤和園在中國古典園林中的地位

頤和園是清朝三山五園中保存狀況最好的一座，也是清朝，乃至中國帝制社會史上最後修建的一座超大型皇家園囿。此外，頤和園還是自漢武帝建章宮首創「一池三山」模式以來，最後一座、以及僅存的一座保留著這種模式的宮苑。此外，由于規劃于清朝的鼎盛時期，這段時期也是中國古典園林發展史上最輝煌的時期，因此頤和園/清漪園積澱深厚的中國園林文化傳統，成為中國古典園林藝術的集大成者。凡舉中國造園藝術中的山水規劃、借景、驀擬、對景等手段，都在頤和園中得到體現，其氣魄之壯麗甚至超過平地起造的圓明園和山地構築的靜宜園，成為中國古典園林的登峰造極之作。