[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Old Summer Palace Museum (Updated Jun)

#summervacay Stepping into Yuanmingyuan, Beijing's Old Summer Palace, is an immediate shift—an escape into a realm where nature and history meld into a profound sense of tranquility. It's a place where even in ruin, a captivating beauty invites peaceful contemplation. Your journey through this expansive park unfolds like a serene landscape painting. Vast, green stretches punctuated by tranquil waterways and gentle hills create picturesque views that calm your spirit. Drifting across Fuhai Lake, you'll feel like you're gliding through a peaceful realm, perfectly contrasting the city's usual bustle. The sheer openness here is wonderfully refreshing. The most striking part of your visit is undoubtedly the Western Mansions (Xiyang Lou). These aren't just remnants; they're hauntingly beautiful sculptures, artfully shaped by time. As you walk among the intricate marble fragments and elegant, broken archways, a profound sense of wonder washes over you. It's easy to imagine the incredible artistry that once defined these palaces, sensing a past grandeur that still subtly whispers. You'll find yourself admiring beauty transformed, yet powerfully present. Yuanmingyuan offers more than just historical sightseeing; it's an immersive experience for your senses and imagination. It leaves you with a deep appreciation for enduring beauty and the unique, reflective atmosphere of a place where imperial dreams quietly echo through the air. #yuanmingyuan #oldsummerpalace

#springitinerary The Summer Palace, or Yíhé Yuán (颐和园), is a historic imperial garden located in Beijing, China and iriginally built in the 18th century, it served as a royal retreat during the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in China and the palace is famous for its classical Chinese architecture, tranquil lakes, lush gardens, and scenic views, especially around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill.

I. First Encounter: Scars of History and the Beauty of Serenity Stepping into Yuanmingyuan Park, the scene of crumbling walls intertwined with verdant pines and cypresses unfolds like a timeworn scroll. As the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, Yuanmingyuan, once known as the "Garden of Gardens," was tragically reduced to ruins by the Anglo-French forces in 1860 and further damaged by the Eight-Nation Alliance. Today, the ruins stand as a testament to national humiliation and a unique space where nature and history coexist. Recommended Spots: 1. The Ruins of Xiyang Lou (Western Mansions): This complex of Chinese and Western architecture features the remnants of the Grand Fountain and its base, evoking the grandeur of the waterworks. Here, the emperor would sit with the Fragrant Concubine, admiring the spectacular fountain show. The base of the reservoir, said to be constructed with bricks bonded by glutinous rice and egg whites, remains remarkably sturdy after centuries. The Haiyan Tang (Hall of Calm Seas) housed the famous twelve bronze animal heads of the Chinese zodiac, which formed a water clock, spouting water at each hour and simultaneously at noon. This ingenious timekeeping device showcases the wisdom of ancient artisans. Purchase a comprehensive ticket (including the 15 CNY entry fee for Xiyang Lou) for a closer look at the fragments of this once magnificent "Garden of Gardens." 2. Fuhai Lake: The largest lake in the park offers ice skating in winter and boating amidst blooming lotuses in summer. Pengdao Yaotai (Isle of the Immortals), once an imperial viewing spot on an island in the lake, now exists only as a foundation, yet possesses a desolate poetic beauty. 3. Ginkgo Avenue (from the intersection of the three gardens to the west entrance of Xiyang Lou): In late autumn, a golden carpet of fallen leaves stretches for nearly a kilometer, creating a photographer's paradise with its satisfying crunch underfoot. II. Yuanmingyuan Through the Seasons: A Symphony of Nature and Humanity Winter Snowscape: The snow-covered ruins and frozen Fuhai Lake create an ink-painting-like scene. The remnants of bridges and the Bronze Crane Fountain appear even more solemn under the snow, while the occasional black swan gliding across the ice adds a touch of life to the serene landscape. Summer Lotus Charm: Thousands of acres of lotus ponds come alive with blossoms, with twin lotuses becoming a popular attraction. Row a boat through the lotus leaves or stroll along the West Dike of Changchun Garden to experience the imperial summer retreat ambiance of "lotus red adorning the rain." Autumn Hues: Besides ginkgo trees, the park boasts a colorful autumn tapestry woven with Chinese ash, maple trees, and reeds. The red leaves and remaining lotus flowers around the Lion Forest and Pingxiang Xie (Apple Fragrance Pavilion) create a poetic late autumn scene. III. Cultural Experiences: A Journey Through Time 1. Shiguang Maimai Street: This reconstructed Qing Dynasty imperial temple fair offers the chance to dress in traditional costumes, savor Beijing snacks (like candied hawthorns and Zhajiangmian noodles), and experience immersive scenes created with light and shadow technology in the "Western Fantasyland." 2. Zhengjue Temple (Yuanmingyuan Museum): This free museum exhibits excavated artifacts, including some of the returned bronze animal heads (like the Horse Head) and architectural fragments, narrating the garden's journey from its peak to its destruction. 3. Wanhuazhen Maze: This restored maze, a blend of Chinese and Western design, was once a place for Qing emperors to enjoy lantern displays during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Try navigating from the entrance to the central pavilion to appreciate the ingenuity of ancient entertainment. IV. Practical Guide and Reflections - Transportation: Subway Line 4 takes you directly to the South Gate of Yuanmingyuan Station. The park is vast. - Tickets: Basic entry is 10 CNY, while a comprehensive ticket costs 25 CNY (including Xiyang Lou). Winter opening hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, extended to 7:00 pm in summer. - Food: Outside the park, you can find roast duck and Lüdagun (rolled donkey); the Fuhai Garden Restaurant offers imperial cuisine, including a replica of the Manchu Han Imperial Feast. Travel Reflections: The beauty of Yuanmingyuan's ruins lies in its "incomplete authenticity." It's not just a place for photos, but a living history book. Standing before the remnants of Xiyang Lou, one feels both the heartache of lost artistic treasures and the power of time reflected in the playful black swans and scampering squirrels. As writer Alain de Botton wrote, "Its mystery lies in its non-existence and non-replicability." Only by visiting in person can one truly grasp this sense of awe and contemplation. Tip: If time permits, combine your visit with the Summer Palace (adjacent) or Tsinghua University (near the East Gate) for a day trip to experience the contrasting atmospheres of imperial gardens and academic sanctuaries.

#discoverchina The Old Summer Palace (圆明园), located in Beijing, China, was once a magnificent imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty. It was a renowned imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty and is considered a masterpiece of Chinese landscape and architectural art. Initially built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi and expanded by Emperors Yongzheng and Qianlong, Yuanmingyuan was a grand complex that combined Chinese garden design with Western architectural styles. Unfortunately, it was burned down by British and French forces during the Second Opium War in 1860, leaving only ruins. Today, it remains a historical site and open-air museum, symbolizing China's rich cultural heritage and history. Location & Transportation 📍 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China 🚇 Subway: Take Beijing Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station (圆明园站), then walk to the entrance.

🎶Travel with music. Lyrics of the song "The Burning of the Old Summer Palace": Who destroyed your prestige? Who caused the fire to spread and the hatred to reach the sky? Who doesn't feel anger and sorrow? How much blood and sweat have been shed to build it, and I have built it with my heart and soul, hoping that it will be passed down through the ages. I didn't expect to end up like this, bringing disgrace to my country and my family. The fire filled the garden with blood and flesh. I died for you because I wanted to protect you. I hope the shock of the fire will make my descendants remember it. You will realize why you were bullied and why you were bullied. Use this fire as a reminder to bring up old grievances and why you were bullied. 🌈On October 13, 2023, the Old Summer Palace Museum was officially unveiled. The "Inheritance and Watching—Old Summer Palace Cultural Relics Protection Achievements Exhibition" was held at the same time, with 7 stone pillars, 5 animal heads, and more than 230 pieces (sets) of cultural relics on display. 👉Looking at the line drawing of this beautiful garden, you can imagine the beautiful scene at that time. There is only one sentence, why did the "burning of the Old Summer Palace" happen... 👍Now we have such good cultural relics protected by us, and built such a large museum, just to let us remember history.

#chinatrip The Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan or Yuanmingyuan Park, originally called the Imperial Gardens, and sometimes called the Winter Palace, was a complex of palaces and gardens in present-day Haidian District, Beijing, China. It used to be he most splendid royal garden, reputed as being the "Garden of Gardens". Victor Hugo once described it as: "In a corner of the world, it is one of the wonders of the world. Located only a few hundred meters from the existing Summer Palace, these ruins used to be a grand palace and park built under the Qing emperors in the 18th century, but was later destroyed during the Second Opium War (1860-1862). Although damaged, most of the building sites can be found and dozens of rockery stones are still visible. Visitors can imagine the former grandeur, and are able to learn about and remember the history through these ruins. Some of the reconstructed buildings and scenic spots offer a place for visitors to relax. It is an ideal place for sightseeing in Al four seasons. 💰Ticket: CNY 10/ person Note: the garden is HUGE. Pls prepared to walk a lot or taking the battery car (extra money) inside. #oldsummerpalace #yuanmingyuan