The barges at the Summer Palace are 19 meters long and can accommodate up to 100 passengers; the dragon boats are 17 meters long and can carry 80 passengers, which is 15 to 20 times the capacity of a standard sedan. Both types of vessels are designed in the style of Qing Dynasty architecture, harmoniously blending with the overall landscape of the imperial garden. The painting and decoration of the vessels adhere to the ancient repair procedures and techniques, including 13 meticulous processes such as grinding, scraping, plastering, oiling, and painting.
Currently, the Summer Palace boasts a fleet of 7 barges, 5 dragon boats, as well as over 400 small boats like rowing boats, electric boats, and pedal boats. The variety and scale of these boats are among the largest in the city’s parks, serving approximately 2.3 million visitors annually. Operating hours are from April 1st to November 15th, from 08:30 to 16:30; from November 16th to March 31st, the park is closed all day. Weather conditions or force majeure may cause adjustments to the operating hours, and the actual business status is subject to the day’s opening conditions.Imperial Barge and Dragon Boats at the Summer Palace
The barges at the Summer Palace are 19 meters long and can accommodate up to 100 passengers; the dra[...]
