The Scenery Browsing Area is the essential part of Summer Palace. It consists of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill (Front Hill and Rear Hill).

Entering the Summer Palace through the East Palace Gate and turning left, you will see a vast lake behind some artificial hills. It is the Kunming Lake, which covers an area of 3300 mu - about two thirds of the total area of the garden.

With an average depth of 1.5m, the lake water is very still, which in the Chinese rulers' hearts is good for their longevity and stability of the county. The lake is divided into three parts: the main lake Kunming, the West Lake and the Back Lake. They are separated by dams and causeways and connected by bridges. The lake also has an Island to the southeast, connected to the east bank by the Seventeen-Arch Bridge which is 150 meters long and spans the lake like a rainbow.

In the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi used to train their navy in the lake.

Longevity Hill, located on the northern bank of Kunming Lake, has assembled the structure cream in the garden. It can be divided into two parts, the Front Hill and the Rear Hill. The structures in the Front Hill begins in the Gate of Dispelling Clouds, passes Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Brilliance and Tower of Buddhist Incense in turn, and finally ends in the Sea of Wisdom on the mountaintop, forming an axis of the whole garden. The Rear Hill, different from the Front Hill, is quite and elegant. A path circles down the hill with trees and brook scattering here and there. Main structures in the Rear Hill include Suzhou Market Street, Garden of Harmonious Interests, etc. A Clove Corridor lasting for several hundred meters hide in the valley. When the cloves are blooming in the spring, the valley is wholly deep in the fragrant smell.

Front Hill

Facing the Kunming Lake, the Front Hill, dotted with structures such as Gate of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Brilliance, Tower of Buddhist Incense and Sea of Wisdom, is the main scenic area of the hill.

Rear Hill

Comparing with the noisy and busy Front Hill, the Rear Hill appears quiet and secluded. Main structures in the Rear Hill include Suzhou Market Street, Garden of Harmonious Interests, etc.

Kunming Lake

Covering an area of 3300 mu, the lake is decorated with bridges, corridor, Islands, willows and pavilions. Main attractions spot here are Back Lake, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Bronze Ox, Marble Boat, the Island and Long Gallery.

In summer, Kunming Lake is an ideal place to boat and view scenery and in winter, it is a good place to hold various ice-sports.