Countdown to the autumn leaves at the Old Summer Palace! 3h quick tour of the golden imperial garden

🍂 Live update as of 10.21 Ginkgo, birch, and maple trees are all turning red; Lion Forest and the west shore of Fuhai Lake have entered "accelerated leaf fall mode." If you don’t come now, you’ll only see bare branches! 📍 One-click navigation Exit B at "Old Summer Palace South Gate" on Line 4; for driving, park at the "South Gate Parking Lot," arrive before 7 AM to grab a spot. ⏰ Golden window From today until 10.29, 5 days without wind, 2 days with wind—aim for sunny days to rush in! 🎫 Free! Scan the code to book "Old Summer Palace Ruins Park" → enter directly. 📸 Quick photo route (2h for great shots) ① Lion Forest (enter from South Gate, turn right, 3 minutes) Golden carpet on the ground + stone maze ruins, 9:00 AM side light, portrait mode with one-click blur. ② West shore of Fuhai Lake (8-minute walk) Maple red reflects on withered lotus, sit on the stone by the shore, use telephoto to capture tower shadows + falling leaves, pure ancient style. ③ Western mansions Yuanying Pavilion (toward North Gate) Ginkgo trees stand before broken walls, golden yellow + ruined stone pillars = "apocalyptic royal" masterpiece. ④ Ginkgo Avenue (must pass when exiting) 200-meter-long tunnel, 3:30 PM top light through leaves, shoot upward with your phone for flawless shots. 🧥 Outfit formula Light-colored sweater + dark long coat, wear a beret, matches perfectly with red walls and yellow leaves. ⚠️ Safety reminder The park is large; rent a shared bike for 30 RMB/day; leaves are cleanest before 8:00 AM, get blackened by trampling in the afternoon; shaking trees is prohibited, security patrols + fines apply. 🍗 Food to recharge 5-minute walk from South Gate to "Tsinghua West Gate" for grilled cold noodles + milk tea; 10-minute bike ride to "Peking University Yannan Canteen" for student-priced hot pot. 🚌 Return tips Avoid peak times on Line 4 subway before 5:00 PM Sunday, or queues at South Gate can be 200 meters long. Leaves wait for no one, rush now! If you miss today, you’ll have to wait until next year.