Summer Palace mainly consists of Longevity Hill (Wanshoushan) and Kunming Lake, covering an area of 290.8 hectares. Of which 3/4 is covered by water. Hill-and water- surrounded palaces, temples and garden buildings are divided into three areas: the palace area, with the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshoudian) as the center, where Cixi held court from behind a screen in most time of her late years; the residence area, with Yulan Hall, Leshou Hall and Yiyun Hall as main bodies , where the emperor and empress lived before death; the tour area integrating landscape, buildings, flower and plants, a place of tour and rest for rulers of that time. As the building center in the whole Palaces, the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) stands highly relying on the Hill and facing to the water.

The water surface of Kunming Lake is spacious like sky, charming, gentle and appealing. In the vast mist- covered water standing the magic hills and wonder islands; the Seventeen-arch Bridge spans the green water like a rainbow. The West Dike of the lake runs from north to south, forming a God-fiven scene together with six graceful bridges. Business on the palace market is flourishing. Towering palaces shine with the hill and water, Group peaks of West Hill (Xishan) and the Jade Spring (Yuquanshan) are even taken as the background .With masterly design and artistic architecture and integration the essence of Chinese garden arts, the Summer Palace has a title of "Imperial Garden Museum". It is an imperial garden most completely reserved with richest landscapes and concentrated buildings. The Summer Palace was added to the world cultural heritage list in 1998.