destinationThe Old Summer Palace

The Old Summer Palace

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Located in Haidian, the western suburbs of Beijing, it is adjacent to the Summer Palace. It was first built in the 46th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign (1707) and consists of three gardens: Yuanming, Changchun and Qichun. It is hailed as "the model of all gardening arts".

1. Why You Must Visit Old Summer Palace？

A haunting emblem of imperial grandeur and wartime loss, Yuanmingyuan combines the poetic beauty of Qing-era gardens with the stark reminder of its 1860 destruction by Anglo-French forces. Once celebrated as the “Garden of Gardens,” it blended Chinese landscaping with European Baroque pavilions—earning comparisons to Pompeii for its emotional impact. Today, the ruins of the Grand Waterworks and Haiyantang Hall stand amid winding waterways and crumbling arches, inviting history lovers to trace a once-magnificent palace that shaped modern China’s collective memory.

2. Itineraries & Highlights

a. Itineraries

Route 1: Effortless Highlights (2.5 hours)

Path: East Gate → Western-style Ruins (Grand Waterworks, Haiyantang Hall) → Boat/Shuttle → South Gate
Highlights:
  • Perfect for families or limited mobility.
  • Core ruins + boat ride (summer-only) with lakeside views.
Details:
  • Walk 5 mins from East Gate to Western Ruins (40 mins).
  • Take shuttle/boat (15 mins) to South Gate via Jianbi Pavilion (stamp-collecting文创店).

Route 2: Full Cultural Immersion (3 hours)

Path: East Gate → Black Swan Lake → Panoramic Sand Model → Western Ruins → South Gate → Zhengjue Temple (Horse-Head Statue)
Highlights:
  • Combines nature (swans) + history.
  • Add Zhengjue Temple (book separately) for the repatriated Horse-Head bronze.
Details:
  • Black Swan area (20 mins) → Sand Model (15 mins) → Western Ruins (40 mins).

Route 3: Autumn-focused Walk (3 hours)

Path: Zhengjue Temple → Ginkgo Boulevard → Western Ruins → East Gate
Highlights:
  • Golden ginkgo leaves (late Oct–mid-Nov).
  • Start at Zhengjue Temple to avoid crowds.
Details:
  • Horse-Head Statue (20 mins) → Chrysanthemum displays at Hanqiu Hall (autumn-only) → Ginkgo Boulevard (30 mins).

Route 4: Quick Visit (1 hour)

Path: East Gate → Lion Grove Garden → Western Ruins → East Gate
Highlights:
  • Fast-track for tight schedules.
  • Contrast classical Chinese gardens with Baroque ruins.

b. Top Attractions

  • Grand Waterworks (大水法) The palace’s centerpiece fountain—ornate stone shells and cascading pools once rivaled Versailles for technical ingenuity.
  • Black Swan Lake (黑天鹅湖) A serene cove where elegant swans glide beneath willow fringes—best at sunrise, before the crowds arrive.
  • Sand Table Panorama An interactive 1:150 scale model illustrating the sprawling gardens, palaces, and waterways as they stood before 1860.
  • Zhengjue Temple & Horse-Head Bronze Home to the repatriated zodiac head, symbolizing both cultural trauma and modern restoration efforts.

3. Seasonal Activities

  • April–June: Lotus Festival (boats on Fuhai Lake).
  • October–November: Golden Ginkgo Boulevard.
  • December–February: Snow-covered ruins for moody photography.

4. Stay & Transport

a. Hotels Near Old Summer Palace

Luxury (¥2,000+/night, 5 mins taxi):
  • The Aman Summer Palace
Mid-Range (¥600–1,200/night, 15–20 mins taxi):
  • Four Points by Sheraton (Beijing Branch)
  • Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park by IHG
Budget (¥200–400/night, 15 mins taxi):
  • 7 Days Inn Suzhou Street
  • Hanting Hotel Haidian

b. Transport Guide

  • Subway: Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station (East Gate Exit B).
  • Bus: Routes 331, 432, 508 to Yuanmingyuan East Gate.
  • Taxi/Ride-hail: Show “圆明园东门 (Yuanmingyuan East Gate)” to drivers; typical fare ¥15–¥25 from central Haidian.

5. Tickets

  • Book Online: Via WeChat mini-program【圆明园门票】or on-site.
  • Peak Season: April–October; buy 1–3 days ahead.
  • Prices:
      General Admission: ¥25 (includes ruins, model hall, and lake paths)
      Discounts: 50% off for students and seniors 60+; free for children under 6 and seniors 65+
      Hours: 7:00–19:30 (Apr–Oct) | 7:30–17:30 (Nov–Mar)

6. FAQs

a. Opening Hours

  • Apr–Oct: 7:00–19:00.
  • Nov–Mar: 7:00–17:30.

b. Guided Tours

  • English Guides: ¥200–300/group (2 hours).

c. Visiting Tips

  • No smoking; drones prohibited.

d. Nearby Attractions

  • Summer Palace (3 km, taxi 10 mins).
  • Tsinghua University (1 km, walk 15 mins).

e. Distance to Other Landmarks

  • Forbidden City: 12 km.
  • Temple of Heaven: 18 km.
  • Beihai Park: 8 km.

f. Photo Spots

  • Grand Waterworks: Dramatic arches.
  • Ginkgo Boulevard: Golden canopy.

g. Clothing & Gear

  • Comfortable shoes; sunscreen/umbrella in summer.

h. Accessibility

  • Wheelchair rentals (free at gates); paved paths in core areas.

7. Final Notes

Yuanmingyuan isn’t just a park—it’s a journey through China’s artistic zenith and historical awakening. Pair it with the Summer Palace for a full imperial experience. Plan ahead, respect the ruins, and let its stories unfold.