728 metres, 14,000 paintings, world record
The Long Corridor (Changlang) runs 728 metres along the north shore of Kunming Lake at the foot of Longevity Hill - described by the official Summer Palace as the longest corridor in a Chinese classical garden. The roof beams and rafters carry approximately 14,000 painted scenes from Chinese literature, mythology, and landscape painting; more than 14,000 painted scenes of figures, landscapes, flowers and birds. Originally built in 1750 by the Qianlong Emperor so that his mother could walk along the lake regardless of weather, destroyed in 1860, rebuilt 1888 by Cixi. The corridor is the natural walking spine of the Summer Palace visit - the east end is by Long Corridor East Pavilion (near East Gate), the west end by Marble Boat (Shifang).
- From central Beijing: Inside the park — allow 30–45 minutes from central Beijing to reach the gates first
- Typical visit style: Full walk: 30-45 min; with painting stops: 60+ min
- Difficulty: Easy - flat, covered, level
- Crowds: Densest midday in summer; quietest 7-9 AM
- Best for: First-time visitors - the unmissable walk; Architecture / painting / literature lovers; Rainy-day visits (covered)
- Less ideal for: Time-poor under-30-min visitors
Long Corridor paintings
Long Corridor at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 728 metres (2,388 feet) |
| Bays | 273 named sections (jian) |
| Paintings | more than 14,000 painted scenes |
| Painting subjects | Chinese literature, mythology, landscapes, Beijing scenes, Cixi-era allegories |
| Pavilions on the corridor | 4 named pavilions (Liujia, Jilan, Qiushui, Qingyao) |
| Built / rebuilt | 1750 / rebuilt 1888 |
| Roof / walls | Open sides facing the lake, painted ceiling beams above |
| Best photos | Looking down the length from either end; close-ups of ceiling paintings |
Reading the paintings
Most paintings fall into four families. (1) Classical Chinese literature - the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Marsh, Romance of West Chamber. (2) Famous landscapes - Hangzhou's West Lake, Suzhou gardens, southern China bridges (the Hangzhou quotation again). (3) Mythology - eight immortals, Buddhist legends, Daoist tales. (4) Cixi-era flora - peonies, plum blossoms, orchids in the Cixi rebuild sections (1888+). A guide or audio guide can identify specific paintings; without it, walk slowly and let the density wash over you.
- Classical Chinese literature scenes.
- Famous landscapes (Hangzhou, Suzhou).
- Mythology and immortals.
- Cixi-era floral motifs.
- Guide or audio guide identifies specifics.
Four pavilions on the corridor
The corridor is divided by four named pavilions at intervals: Liujia Pavilion (east), Jilan Pavilion, Qiushui Pavilion, and Qingyao Pavilion interrupt the axis (Paiyun Gate itself is the separate Longevity Hill climb, not one of the four corridor pavilions). Each pavilion has its own ceiling paintings, often with seasonal themes - Liujia for spring, Jilan for summer, Qiushui for autumn, Qiu Shui for winter. Pavilions also serve as rest stops with stone benches.
- Four pavilions: Liujia Pavilion, Jilan Pavilion, Qiushui Pavilion, Qingyao Pavilion.
- Each has seasonal painting themes.
- Spring / summer / autumn / winter.
- Stone benches for rest stops.
- Qingyao Pavilion and the corridor’s eastern/western pavilions mark pauses; Paiyun Gate leads the separate Longevity Hill climb.
Walking pace and photo strategy
Walk 30-45 minutes east-to-west (or reverse) at a steady pace, pausing at the four pavilions and at any painting that catches your eye. Photo strategy: (1) look down the length from either end for the infinite-corridor shot, (2) close up of ceiling paintings (slow shutter or stabiliser - low light under the roof), (3) lake-side view through the open columns (paintings overhead + lake below + Longevity Hill above). The midday sun shaft through the columns is the photographer's golden moment.
- 30-45 min east-to-west.
- Look-down-length shot from either end.
- Close-up ceiling paintings (low light).
- Lake + paintings + hill triple framing.
- Midday sun shaft is photo gold.
Walking pace and photo strategy
Walk 30-45 minutes east-to-west (or reverse) at a steady pace, pausing at the four pavilions and at any painting that catches your eye. Photo strategy: (1) look down the length from either end for the infinite-corridor shot, (2) close up of ceiling paintings (slow shutter or stabiliser - low light under the roof), (3) lake-side view through the open columns (paintings overhead + lake below + Longevity Hill above). The midday sun shaft through the columns is the photographer's golden moment.
- 30-45 min east-to-west.
- Look-down-length shot from either end.
- Close-up ceiling paintings (low light).
- Lake + paintings + hill triple framing.
- Midday sun shaft is photo gold.
Common Long Corridor mistakes
Walking through in 5 minutes
It's 728m of painted ceiling. 30-45 min is the right pace; 60+ if you read paintings.
Missing the four pavilions
They're the natural rest stops and have the best seasonal paintings.
Photographing only the lake
The paintings overhead are the cultural climax - look up.
Skipping it because 'it's just a walkway'
World record + 14,000 paintings + Qing-era mother's walk. Not 'just a walkway'.
Long Corridor FAQ
- 728 metres - described by the official Summer Palace as the longest corridor in a Chinese classical garden.
- Approximately 14,000 - of figures, landscapes, flowers and birds. Subjects: Chinese literature, mythology, landscapes, Cixi-era flora.
- Qianlong Emperor built it in 1750 so that his mother could walk along Kunming Lake regardless of weather. Rebuilt by Cixi in 1888 after the 1860 destruction.
- 30-45 minutes east-to-west steady pace. 60+ minutes if you pause to read paintings.
- Yes - stone benches at each of the four named pavilions (Liujia, Jilan, Qiushui, Qingyao).
- Yes - the roof shelters the walkway. The Long Corridor is the natural Summer Palace rainy-day visit option.
Walk the corridor with a guide
Our private SP day pairs the Long Corridor walk with painting identification - your guide names the literature, mythology, and Cixi-era scenes as you walk.
If rain is forecast, the corridor + Longevity Hill alone makes a covered half-day visit; see the rainy-day page.
