Kunming Lake takes up about 75% of the park. This lake used to be a much smaller water source near Beijing. Before this water reservoir becomes a man-made lake. Most of the expansions took place during the time of the Qianlong Emperor, who used about 10000 laborers for this end. They used the extracted ground as a means to increasing the area around longevity hill.

The living quarters of Empress Dowager Cixi. This large complex enjoys a prime position, facing the Kunming Lake, and backing onto the Longevity Hill.

The Long Corridor is 728 meters long and has 4 octagonal gazebos representing the four seasons. The beams and ceilings of the walkway are profusely decorated with over 14,000 paintings depicting scenes from Chinese history, literature and mythology and lots of flowers and animals including horses, birds, fish and insects.