Early in the Liao and Jin Dynasties over 800 years ago, the present Summer Palace was a picturesque place of interest with waters and hills.

The emperor of the Jin Dynasty took a fancy at this place and had a xanadu built here. Then named Jinshan Hill, the Wanshou Hill was a branch of the Xishan Hill in Beijing, many streams running from which converged into a vast expanse of water, Jin Sea.

Though the Jinshan Hill was renamed Wengshan Hill and the Jin Sea was renamed Wengshan Hill and the Jin Sea was renamed Wengshan water, they were still the summer resort for the royal family in Yuan Dynasty.

| The Summer Palace |