Summer Palace(Qingyi Garden)

The Summer Palace, located in Haidian District, Beijing, is one of the best-preserved imperial gardens, covering an area of approximately 290 hectares. Centered around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, the garden combines natural landscapes with classical architecture. It features grand structures like the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Long Corridor, as well as picturesque spots like the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the Marble Boat, showcasing the refined aesthetics of Chinese gardens. Once a summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty royal family, it is now an ideal destination for visitors to experience imperial life and natural beauty. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride on the lake or stroll along the Long Corridor to admire the colorful paintings and scenic views. 📸 Must-visit spot: The breathtaking sunset view at the Seventeen-Arch Bridge! Recommended for its stunning scenery, elegant architecture, and rich cultural heritage, the Summer Palace is a classic attraction not to be missed when visiting Beijing.

I’ve created this comprehensive yet easy-to-follow guide, perfect for first-timers! 🤗 📍Overview The Summer Palace is a vast imperial garden originally built as a summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty’s royal family. It’s a must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site! 🚌 Getting There You can reach the Summer Palace easily by public transport. Simply search for “Summer Palace” in Amap (China’s version of Google Maps), and it will show all the available routes based on your current location. The easiest option is to book a Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace combo day tour, which you can find on Trip.com. 🌳 Top Attractions 1. Kunming Lake – Take the boat tour here! The scenery during sunset is absolutely breathtaking. 🌅 2. Long Corridor – Admire over 14,000 paintings along the world’s longest painted corridor! 3. Longevity Hill – Climb up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense for panoramic views. Don’t give up halfway, the view is worth it! 4. Seventeen-Arch Bridge – A perfect photo spot, especially during golden hour. 5. Marble Boat – A stunning structure that symbolizes stability. 📸 Pro Tips Take the boat tour on Kunming Lake in the evening, the sunset reflection on the water is mesmerising! After that, head up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense for a golden-hour panoramic view. 💛🧡 🗺️ Suggested Route Enter via North Gate → Boat tour at Kunming Lake → Marble Boat → Tower of Buddhist Incense → Long Corridor #summerpalace #beijing #travelguide #travel

Summer Palace Old Summer Palace A visit to the Summer Palace is a must! Feel the breeze from Kunming Lake, stroll along the world's longest corridor, and immerse yourself in the unique charm of this imperial garden. Stepping into the Old Summer Palace is like opening a heavy history book. Its former glory and current tranquility coexist, with every ruin whispering tales of the past. A blend of brokenness and vitality. Tips: Be sure to listen to a guided tour for a richer experience!

🏯When it comes to Hanfu culture, the Summer Palace is a must-visit for travel photography in Beijing. The pavilions, towers, and corridors all exude a poetic atmosphere. 👗The best Hanfu style for the Summer Palace is the understated and elegant Song-style Hanfu. The Song Dynasty was known for its simple and elegant clothing, with simple cuts, delicate colors, and a scholarly temperament. If you want to take photos with an ink painting-like atmosphere, Song-style Hanfu is the best choice. 🧢Song Dynasty clothing mainly consisted of beizi, ruqun, and round-collar robes, with light colors such as light green, off-white, and bean blue being the most classic. Compared to the luxurious decorations of other dynasties, Song-style Hanfu focuses more on smooth lines and the drape of the fabric, making it comfortable and lightweight to wear, perfect for strolling and taking photos in gardens. 🤵Recommended combinations: Top: Stand collar ruqun or wide-sleeved beizi with a long skirt Colors: Morandi colors, such as light bean green, smoky blue, and moon white Pibo: Light gauze pibo for a more dynamic look Shoes: Traditional Song shoes or embroidered shoes Hairstyle: Low buns or simple hairpins with plain ribbons 🧭If you don't have your own Hanfu, you can rent one from a nearby Hanfu shop, where you can also get your makeup done. 👉There are many Hanfu experience shops near the North Palace Gate and East Palace Gate, with rental prices ranging from CNY 80–300 per day and makeup services costing around CNY 50–150. 😍Makeup: Gentle and elegant, with pink or bean paste blush and long willow eyebrows 💄Lip color: Red lips or light bean paste color, low-saturation lipstick is more in line with Song Dynasty aesthetics 🪞Accessories: The Song Dynasty favored simple silver jewelry and white jade hairpins, so you can choose simple hairpins or tassel earrings Recommended photo spots 📍Tower of Buddhist Incense: The iconic building of the Summer Palace, suitable for long shots to show the elegance of Hanfu. Stand on the long steps and pose as if walking slowly, with the wind blowing your sleeves. 📍Kunming Lake: The lake reflects the distant mountains, suitable for capturing the leisurely atmosphere of Song Dynasty scholars. You can hold a folding fan or a scroll to create a poetic picture. 📍Long Corridor: The colorful corridor contrasts with the elegant Hanfu, suitable for side profile silhouettes or leaning against the railing. 📍Marble Boat: The ancient stone boat is suitable for sitting photos, showing the elegant atmosphere of the Jiangnan water town. What other accessories are suitable for matching? 🪭Handheld items: Scrolls, folding fans, oil-paper umbrellas, and sachets to add an ancient charm 💚Wearing Song-style Hanfu is not just a photo experience, but an immersive cultural journey.

Planning the Day We had one free day in Beijing and wanted to make the most of it. Traveling with teenagers meant two priorities: ✔️ Easy & time-efficient ✔️ Avoiding big crowds (as much as possible… it was Sunday 😅) We booked a full-day joun-in group tour, which included: ✅Group bus transfer ✅Shuttle bus to Mutianyu ✅All entrance fees ✅Transfer to Summer Palace and audio guide inside ✅English-speaking guide all day (amazing!) Honestly, going with an organized trip was the BEST decision — so many tips, tricks, and shortcuts we would never figure out on our own! ⏰ Early Start = Fewer Crowds Our bus left Beijing at 7:30 AM and reached Mutianyu before 9 AM. Highly recommend the earliest bus — it makes a huge difference! During the ride, our guide: 🗺️ Showed us the Mutianyu map 🎫 Advised which towers to visit 🚡 Suggested buying all transport tickets in advance (cable car, chairlift, slideway) 🍽️ Offered buffet lunch add-on 🕶️ Introduced the new Great Wall VR experience at a big discount We took everything—and it was totally worth it! 🧣 Weather Tip Even if Beijing is mild, bring a scarf and gloves! At the top it can be freezing. 🏯 Exploring Mutianyu Mutianyu has 22 watchtowers, and here’s how we made the most of it in under 3 hours: ➤ Eastern Route (Right Side) Go up by chairlift Explore Towers 6 → 5 → 4 Snap photos at Tower 4 📸 Return via the open slideway (toboggan) — super fun! ⚠️ Gets crowded after ~10 AM, so go early. ➤ Western Route (Left Side) After the slideway, we took the cable car to Tower 14 and walked toward Tower 15, which has stunning, romantic views 😍 ⏳ Key tip: Don’t linger too long in one spot — keep moving to experience both sides! 🥘 Lunch + VR Back down, we grabbed a quick buffet lunch and then did the Great Wall VR experience. Highlights: ⚒️ Watch the Wall being built 👑 Meet emperors and historical figures ⚔️ Try different weapons Our group of 8 did the session together — super fun and surprisingly immersive! 🌅 Summer Palace (Imperial Gardens) After Mutianyu, we continued to the Summer Palace, arriving right at golden hour — absolutely magical ✨ Originally built in 1750, partially destroyed in 1860, restored in 1886 — it’s a masterpiece of traditional landscape design. We loved… 🌊 Kunming Lake views 🛳️ The Marble Boat ⛩️ Temples and pavilions 🌿 Serene walkways and bridges The sunset made everything glow! 💡 Final Thoughts If you want a smooth, efficient, and crowd-friendly Great Wall day trip with teens — this route and timetable were perfect. Amazing mix of adventure, culture, and scenery ❤️#greatwall #Beijing #GreatWall #Mutianyu #SummerPalace #FamilyTravel #TripMoments #ChinaTravel

We spent the morning in Beijing zoo mainly to see the pandas 🐼 before we took the sightseeing boat from Beijing zoo to the summer palace. Very cool boat ride. Lots of families with kids taking the boat for the first part of the trip and it seemed they had a return ticket to go back to the zoo park. After the first stretch from the zoo to purple bamboo park, you have to change the boat to go to summer palace. It was a super simple process where we followed a guy with a yellow flag for a few 100 meters and directly boarded the new boat. The two different boats were slightly different from each other. Indeed a beautiful ride in spring time when you can enjoy the blossom along the canal. We bought some snacks before boarding and enjoy the 1 hour boat ride. 💰120 pr person ⏰ 10:30-15:30 one boat pr hour #springwander #chinatrip #beijing #citywalkflowers

【Introduction】: The Summer Palace is one of the largest and best-preserved royal gardens in China. 🕘【Opening Hours】: Peak season: opens at 6:00 AM, last entry at 7:00 PM, closes at 8:00 PM; off-season: opens at 6:30 AM, last entry at 6:00 PM, closes at 7:00 PM. Courtyard attractions open at 8:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM during peak season; open at 8:30 AM and close at 5:00 PM during off-season. Except for public holidays, some inner gardens and courtyard attractions are closed on Mondays. 💴【Ticket Prices】: Peak season (April 1 - October 31) tickets are 30 RMB each, combined tickets 60 RMB each; off-season (November 1 - March 31) tickets are 20 RMB each, combined tickets 50 RMB each. Inner gardens: Dehe Garden 5 RMB, Summer Palace Museum 20 RMB, Tower of Buddhist Incense 10 RMB, Suzhou Street 10 RMB. Children aged 6 and under or under 1.2 meters tall, and seniors aged 60 and above with ID are free; students with valid student ID get half-price tickets and should prepare relevant documents in advance. ⛺【Activities】: Suggested Routes Half-day tour: Enter from the East Palace Gate, visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity first, then walk along the Long Corridor to the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Hall of Dispelling Clouds, next to the Marble Boat, and finally take a boat to South Lake Island, admire the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and exit from the New Palace Gate. Full-day tour: If time allows, enter from the North Palace Gate, visit Suzhou Street first, then the Four Great Regions and Tower of Buddhist Incense, followed by the Long Corridor visiting the Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Joyful Longevity, Hall of Jade Ripples, etc., and finally take a boat on Kunming Lake to tour South Lake Island, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and other attractions, exiting from the East Palace Gate or New Palace Gate. During peak season (holidays and weekends), there are many visitors. It is recommended to enter before 8 AM to avoid crowds and capture photos with soft lighting; after 4 PM, the crowd thins, ideal for leisurely strolling around Kunming Lake. To witness the "Golden Light Piercing the Hole" phenomenon at the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, visit at dusk around the winter solstice, check sunset times in advance, and arrive one hour early to secure a spot. Boat rides: There are multiple boat docks inside the park, such as Bafang Pavilion and Wenchang Pavilion, offering rowboats, pedal boats, and electric boats priced between 60-180 RMB per hour. Additionally, there are shuttle boats costing about 30-40 RMB per person depending on the route. Electric carts: Electric carts are available inside the park to help visitors explore certain areas more conveniently. For specific routes and prices, consult park staff. 🚌【Transportation Tips】: Subway: Take Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station to enter the Summer Palace from the North Palace Gate; or take the Western Suburb Line and get off at Summer Palace West Gate Station, near the west side of Kunming Lake. 👉【Itinerary Suggestions】: Tingli Pavilion: A palace-style restaurant inside the park where you can taste royal-style dishes like pea jelly and Beijing Eight Delicacies, with an average cost of about 150 RMB per person. Fast Food Stalls: There are three fast food stalls located at Zhichun Pavilion, the east nine rooms of Hall of Dispelling Clouds, and Shizhang Pavilion, mainly serving daily meals and noodles at reasonable prices. 🧡【Preparation Before Visit】: Basic Essentials Documents: ID card (for entry verification), student or senior ID (for discounted tickets), mobile phone (for scanning entry codes, navigation, and payment). Clothing: Wear comfortable sneakers as the Summer Palace covers a large area and walking can reach 10,000-20,000 steps per day; avoid high heels or new shoes. Dress according to the season: in summer, prepare sun protection like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen; in winter, dress warmly and windproof; in spring and autumn, bring a light jacket due to large temperature differences between day and night. Supplies: Bring enough drinking water as beverages inside the park are expensive; pack some snacks (bread, biscuits, fruit) for energy. If planning to take a boat ride on the lake, bring a light jacket as it can be windy on the water. Auxiliary Tools: Navigation: Download the Summer Palace map or offline maps on your phone in advance, as some areas have weak signal. Photography equipment: Cameras, selfie sticks, etc. The Long Corridor, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and Tower of Buddhist Incense are excellent photo spots, so photography enthusiasts should prepare their gear. Others: Power bank (to avoid phone running out of battery), tissues/wet wipes, trash bags (to protect the environment); if bringing elderly or children, consider a folding stool for resting anytime.

🌹Spring in Beijing is accompanied by clear skies. Spring flowers such as peach blossoms and cherry blossoms in Beijing’s municipal parks are blooming one after another. The crowds heading to parks like the Summer Palace, Beihai Park, and Xiangshan Park for spring outings and flower viewing are bustling. ✔️The cherry blossom lawn at Yuyuantan Park is lively and bustling. Among the more than a hundred cherry blossom pots carefully cultivated and displayed this year, the "Xiangfei" cherry blossom has become the star attraction, with its sweet fragrance drawing many visitors to take photos. The park’s cultural and creative IP "Ying Xiao Bei," inspired by the northern long-tailed tit, has charmed many young people. ✔️The Mountain Peach Blossom Stream located on the west side of the Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall in the National Botanical Garden has reached its best viewing period. Surrounded by green mountains in the distance, with cascading waters in front, nearly a hundred mountain peach trees are in full bloom, their pink and white flowers resembling clouds and rosy clouds. ✔️In Zhongshan Park, mountain peach blossoms cover the branches, magnolias are budding, and the subtle fragrance of plum blossoms drifts in the air, with early spring flowers blooming in competition. ✔️Along the west embankment of the Summer Palace, over a hundred mountain peach trees are blooming along the bank, attracting a steady stream of visitors who immerse themselves in the poetic scene of "peach pink and willow green reflecting the clear waves."

The Summer Palace in Beijing, also known as Yiheyuan (颐和园), is one of the most famous and magnificent palace and garden complexes in China. History: The Summer Palace was built in the mid-18th century and served as a retreat for the emperor and his family. It was later expanded and reconstructed, especially under the direction of Empress Dowager Cixi in the late 19th century. Architecture and Design: The palace combines traditional Chinese architectural styles with fundamental principles of garden design. The main attractions include the large artificial Kunming Lake and the Longevity Hill, which create a stunning landscape. Key Attractions: · The Long Corridor: A unique covered walkway approximately 728 meters long, adorned with thousands of paintings depicting Chinese mythology and history. · The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge): Located atop the hill, offering a breathtaking view of the surroundings. · The Marble Boat: A decorative structure resembling a traditional boat, symbolizing strength and stability. How to Get There: From central Beijing: · Metro: The most convenient way is to take Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen (北宫门) or Yiheyuan (颐和园) stations, leading to the northern and eastern gates of the palace. · Taxi/Bus: You can also use a taxi or bus. Simply saying "颐和园" to the taxi driver will suffice. · Organized Tours: Many travel agencies in Beijing offer tours to cultural and historical sites, including the Summer Palace. This is convenient for language support and learning about the site's history. Tips for Visitors: · Plan a full day: The Summer Palace is vast, so allocate at least a few hours for your visit. · Comfortable clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes as the grounds are extensive. · Sun protection: Summer months can be sunny, so bring a hat and sunscreen. · Photography: Stunning views await, so ensure you have a camera or smartphone ready. The Summer Palace in Beijing is a magnificent example of Chinese garden art, historical architecture, and rich imperial history.

Yuyuantan Park Best Viewing Period: Late March to mid-April, when nearly 2,000 cherry trees of 20 varieties bloom, creating a magnificent "sea of cherry blossoms." Highlights: The main viewing areas are the Cherry Blossom Garden and the small lake around it, where Somei Yoshino and mountain cherry trees are scattered. The weeping willows by the lake complement the cherry blossoms, forming the classic "cherry and willow in one frame" scene. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, there are themed exhibitions and creative markets. Tickets and Transportation: During the Cherry Blossom Festival, full-price tickets are 10 RMB/person, discounted tickets 5 RMB/person; regular price is 2 RMB. Take Metro Line 16 to Yuyuantan East Gate Station, Exit D, then walk 50 meters to the East Gate; alternatively, take Metro Line 1 to Military Museum Station and walk about 500 meters. Tips: Enter the park as early as 6 AM to avoid crowds; after entering from the East Gate, walk west along the lakeside path to the West Gate, enjoying cherry blossoms and creative shops along the way; you can also take a boat to capture photos of cherry blossoms with the CCTV Tower in the background; wear light-colored clothes or traditional Hanfu and use cherry blossom props for better photos. Summer Palace Best Viewing Period: Mid to late March, when the peach blossoms bloom on the West Causeway and the willows turn green, creating a beautiful early spring scene of "peach pink and willow green." Highlights: The West Causeway is the best viewing area, where mountain peach blossoms bloom along the shore, forming a classic Chinese garden scene with the Longevity Hill’s Tower of Buddhist Incense and Jade Spring Hill’s Jade Peak Pagoda. Jingming Tower and Willow Bridge appear faintly in the sea of flowers, perfect for ancient-style photography. Tickets and Transportation: Peak season (from April 1) tickets are 30 RMB/person, off-season 20 RMB/person; combined tickets 60 RMB (including the Garden within the Garden). Take Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen Station, Exit D, then walk 300 meters to the Beigongmen entrance; buses to Summer Palace Station are also available. Tips: Enter from Beigongmen, walk along the rear creek to the West Causeway, focusing on shots blending mountain peach blossoms with ancient architecture; climb the Tower of Buddhist Incense for panoramic views of Kunming Lake and the flower sea; plan 3-4 hours and avoid weekend afternoon crowds. National Botanical Garden (North Garden) Best Viewing Period: Mid-March to early April, when the Mountain Peach Blossom Creek is at its peak, with hundreds of mountain peach trees blooming along the creek, creating a poetic "flowing peach blossoms" scene. Highlights: The Mountain Peach Blossom Creek is the core area, with rushing water forming three small waterfalls, peach branches hanging low on both sides, and the serene lake wooden bridge as a classic photo spot; Peach Blossom Avenue and the Bi Tao Garden also feature different peach varieties, with blooming from March to May. Tickets and Transportation: North Garden tickets are 5 RMB/person; park annual passes allow free entry. Take the Western Suburb Line to National Botanical Garden Station and arrive at the Southeast Gate. Tips: Enter from the Southeast Gate and head straight to the wooden bridge at the northwest corner of the serene lake to capture panoramic views of the Mountain Peach Blossom Creek; the southeast corner is good for lake reflections; Bi Tao Garden is ideal for close-ups of rare peach varieties like "Pin Hong" and "Pin Xia"; morning visits are recommended for soft light and fewer people. Yuandadu City Wall Ruins Park Best Viewing Period: Late March to mid-April, when the Begonia Flower Creek is in full bloom, with over 5,000 begonia trees of 28 varieties lining both sides of the Xiaoyue River, creating a unique "flower creek reflecting ancient walls" landscape. Highlights: Begonia Flower Creek is a must-visit area, with Western Mansion Begonia and Weeping Begonia varieties interwoven in pink and white, stretching 1.1 kilometers; popular photo spots include the "Begonia Tunnel" southwest of Jiande Gate Bridge and the "Flower Sea Ancient Wall" north of Anzhenmen Bridge. Tickets and Transportation: Open year-round for free, no reservation needed. Take Metro Line 10 to Beitucheng Station, Exit D, then walk 50 meters to the park. Tips: Enter from Beitucheng Station, walk east along the Xiaoyue River path to Anzhenmen, photographing the boardwalk, pavilions, and flower sea along the way; Hanfu enthusiasts can shoot ancient-style photos north of Anzhenmen Bridge; visit before 10 AM or after 3 PM for soft light and fewer crowds; nearby, try snacks at Huguo Temple for an authentic old Beijing flavor. General Tips · It is recommended to enter all four locations early to avoid weekend and holiday peak times; · Do not break branches or trample flowers when taking photos; enjoy flowers respectfully; · Spring temperatures vary, so bring a light jacket and watch your step; · Plan day trips combining metro lines, such as "National Botanical Garden → Summer Palace" or "Yuandadu → Yuyuantan," to save travel time.

“Beijing Spring Flower Chasing” Stop 2: 📍Summer Palace 🌸 Flower variety: Mountain peach blossoms *The West Causeway peach blossoms are 60% in bloom, entering a stunning viewing period 🌿 No need to go south of the Yangtze River, the peach blossoms on the West Causeway have already dyed Kunming Lake into a Song Dynasty poem. 【Flower Viewing Shortcuts】 🌸 Pure flower viewing: Enter from South Ruyi Gate for the shortest walk. Head straight to the West Causeway, turn back at Mirror Bridge, perfect for a quick peach blossom check-in. 🌸 Lakeside walk: Summer Palace West Gate → Mirror Bridge → Lian Bridge → Jingming Tower → West Causeway → West Gate. Stroll through a sea of pink and white flowers, enjoying the full spring scenery. 【Flower Viewing + In-depth Tour Route】 Summer Palace West Gate → Changguan Hall → Mirror Bridge → Lian Bridge → Jingming Tower → Willow Bridge → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → Leshou Hall → Long Corridor → Painting Tour → Tower of Buddhist Incense → North Palace Gate. 🌸 Steal a half-day of leisure on the West Causeway, and tuck the fragrance of a peach tree into the springtime. Come to the Summer Palace and join this romantic rendezvous with the peach blossoms.

The spring romance of the West Dike at the Summer Palace has arrived right on time! Currently, about 80% of the peach blossoms are in bloom, with only a few buds left to open. The gentle spring breeze, clear blue water, and sky make strolling here feel like walking into a flowing ancient painting. This weekend marks the official start of the best viewing period, so friends who want to capture the stunning spring scenery can start planning now~ ✨ Flower Viewing Route (Hassle-Free and Direct) Take the Western Suburb Line to the Summer Palace West Gate Station, enter the park from the West Gate, and head straight to the West Dike. Along the way, you'll pass Lian Bridge, Jingming Tower, and Willow Bridge, with blooming flowers and lake views at every step. Finally, exit the park through Ruyi Gate for a smooth and enjoyable flower viewing route.