Baoyun Pavilion, which is located to the west of the Tower of Buddhist Incense on the Longevity Hill, was made of bronze and also called “golden pavilion”. Baoyun Pavilion is one of the three best and largest bronze buildings existing in China.
Baoyun Bronze Pavilion is a structure with a double-eaved roof. With a height of 7.55m, it weighs 207 tonnes. All its component parts, the beams, pillars, supporting brackets, rafters, tiles, couplings, etc, were cast in bronze by traditional methods: “lost wax technique” and “breaking the mound.” The exterior was finished in a greenish-gray color. It is of great scientific value.
The pavilion is one of the few buildings in Garden that escaped destruction by the Anglo-Forces in 1860. Unfortunately, all of the furnishings were lost. In 1990, the Eight Power Allied Forces again looted the garden and ten of its bronze windows were taken oversea. In 1993 American International Group Inc purchased the windows and sent back to the Summer Palace as a gift to China.”
I visited the Summer Palace in May, 2025 specifically to see The Bronze Pavilion. I spent a day exploring the grounds, which are beautiful, but never saw the Pavilion of Precious Clouds (Baoyunge, The Bronze Pavilion). Or at least that is what I thought! Going through my photographs I realized I DID see the Bronze Pavilion, but from afar.
Fast forward to today, March 2026. I returned to the Summer Palace now armed with the knowledge of exactly where the Pavilion of Precious Clouds is located. Unfortunately every single entrance to the western side of Longevity Hill was gated and/or locked.
I returned to the ticket counter and asked if it was possible to see Baoyunge. I was told no, that area is closed to the public and there are no plans to open that area or make it accessible.
If you want to see the Bronze Pavilion the best vantage point is the western-facing exit stairs (stairs going up Tower of Buddhist Incense are east-facing, stairs going down are west-facing, so you have to do it on your way out) on the first landing after starting your descent.
You can also see the pavilion and the entire western side of Longevity Hill through the lattice work on the west side of the courtyard atop the Tower of Buddhist Incense, but the lattice is small and difficult to get a good photo through.