Yuanmingyuan Park - Magnificent Old Summer Palace

Brief Impression about Yuanmingyuan Park - Facts

Located on the western outskirts, near Summer Place, the Yuanmingyuan Park was a complex of palaces and gardens in Beijing City. It was a massive imperial garden, first built in the 46th year of the Kangxi (康熙) era (1707 AD), and improved in a long span of over 150 years under the decrees of six Qing emperors. The Qing emperors constantly visited the garden for the management of state affairs and for entertainments. During its heyday, it was the perfection of all landscape and garden designs. As an imperial garden, it diffused a majestic splendour while at the same time exhibited the elegance of private gardens in the south. Displaying the aesthetics of both Chinese and Western gardens, Yuanmingyuan was reputed as the Garden of Gardens.

Historical Overview of Yuanmingyuan Park

In the 10th year of the Xianfeng (咸丰) era (1860 AD), the British and French troops looted and burned Yuanmingyuan down. Although the government attempted to renovate it in the 12th year of the Tongzhi (同治) era (1873 AD), the construction was suspended due to financial strain. In the 26th year of the Guangxu (光绪) era (1900 AD) when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, the remains of Yuanmingyuan were totally destroyed. In the third year of the Republican era (1914 AD), the Imperial Household Department of the Qing government put Yuanmingyuan under the administration of the Summer Palace. This magnificent garden was gradually reduced to ruins due to thefts, wars and destruction over time. In January 1988, the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park was included into the third batch of Major National Cultural Heritage Sites and open to public on June 29 the same year.

What to See in Yuanmingyuan Park

Yuanmingyuan Garden - Garden of Perfect Brightness: It is the largest of the three gardens, covering an area of 200 hectares, and can be divided into five scenic spots: the Imperial Palace area, Jiuzhou area, Northwest area, Fuhai Lake area and North area. Jiuzhou Qingyan (九州清晏) is the core area of the Yuanmingyuan Garden, surrounded by Rugu Hanjin (茹古涵今), Tantan Dangdang (坦坦荡荡), Xinghua Chunguan (杏花春馆), Shangxia Tianguang (上下天光), Ciyun Puhu (慈云普护), Bitong Shuyuan (碧桐书院), Tianran Tuhua (天然图画), Louyue Kaiyun (镂月开云), as well as the distribution of Shangao Shuichang (山高水长), Wanfang Anhe (万方安和), etc., like the stars holding the moon.

Changchun Garden - Garden of Eternal Spring: Located in the northeast of the Yuanmingyuan Park, it was built in the Qianlong (乾隆) period of the Qing Dynasty and is a garden dominated by water features. There are many scenic spots, such as Hanjingtang (含经堂), Yulinglong Hall (玉玲珑馆), Lion Grove Garden (狮子林), Huanghuazhen (黄花阵), etc.

The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区): It is a highlight of the Yuanmingyuan Park and one of the must-see attractions for tourists, composed of more than 10 buildings and gardens, such as Xieqiqu (谐奇趣), Fangwaiguan (方外观), Haiyan Hall (海晏堂), Dashuifa (大水法), Yuanyingguan (远瀛观), Xianfa Mound (线法山), Fanghe Pond (方河), etc. The architecture and decoration of the Western-style building scenic spot are extremely exquisite, which is the perfect combination of European classical architecture and Chinese traditional garden art.

Qichun Garden - Garden of Elegant Spring: Located in the southeast of the Yuanmingyuan Park, it was built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and is a beautiful garden, including scenic spots like Fuchun Hall (敷春堂), Fenglin Islets (凤麟洲), Hanqiu Hall (涵秋馆), Xianren Chenglu (仙人承露) and so on.

Zhengjue Temple (正觉寺): Located on the east side of the palace gate of Qichun Garden, it is an affiliated temple of the Yuanmingyuan Park, which was built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and is a lama temple. The architectural style of Zhengjue Temple is unique, integrating a variety of architectural styles such as Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian. A large number of cultural relics and artworks have been preserved in the temple, including Buddha statues, murals, thangkas, etc.

Yuanmingyuan Park Bronze Heads

Yuanmingyuan Park Visiting Route

Walking Route - about 2 ~ 3 Hours

Route One: Zhengjue Temple (正觉寺) - Chunze Lodge (春泽斋) - Intersection of the Three Gardens (三园交界) - Ginkgo Avenue (银杏大道) - The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区) - Scale Model of Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明园盛时全景模型展) - Lion Grove Garden (狮子林) - East Gate (东门)

Route Two: East Gate (东门) - The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区) - Fahui Temple (法慧寺) - Zelan Hall (泽兰堂) - Scale Model of Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明园盛时全景模型展) - Hanjingtang (含经堂) - Changchun Garden Palace Gate (长春园宫门)

Route Three: Changchun Garden Palace Gate (长春园宫门) - Danhuai Hall (澹怀堂) - Hanjingtang (含经堂) - Scale Model of Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明园盛时全景模型展) - The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区) - Ginkgo Avenue (银杏大道) - Intersection of the Three Gardens (三园交界) - Xianren Chenglu (仙人承露) - Hanqiu Hall (涵秋馆) - Jianbi Pavilion (鉴碧亭) - Qichun Garden Palace Gate (绮春园宫门)

Boating Route - about 2 Hours

Route: Qichun Garden Palace Gate (绮春园宫门) - Jianbi Pavilion (鉴碧亭) - Tianxin Shuimian (天心水面) Dock - Pengdao Yaotai (蓬岛瑶台) - Fanghu Shengjing (方壶胜境) Dock - The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区) - Scale Model of Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明园盛时全景模型展) - Lion Grove Garden (狮子林) - East Gate (东门)

Sightseeing Bus Route - about 2.5 Hours

Route: Zhengjue Temple (正觉寺) - Hanqiu Hall (涵秋馆) - Xianren Chenglu (仙人承露) - Intersection of the Three Gardens (三园交界) - Quyuan Fenghe (曲院风荷) - Lianxi Lechu (濂溪乐处) - Duojia Ruyun (多稼如云) - Yuyue Yuanfei (鱼跃鸢飞) - Beiyuan Shancun (北远山村) - The Xiyanglou Area (西洋楼遗址区) - Scale Model of Yuanmingyuan Park (圆明园盛时全景模型展) - Lion Grove Garden (狮子林) - East Gate (东门)

Yuanmingyuan Park Location & Transportation

Where is Yuanmingyuan Park

Transfer to/around Yuanmingyuan Park

Yuanmingyuan Park is usually covered in a full day’s visiting of Beijing tour package with other famous sites, such as Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc. The package includes convenient and private transfer, which is helpful and more enjoyable for you to focus on sightseeing. You can also contact us to customize your Yuanmingyuan tour according to your interests and demands.

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package (Leisure Paced)

☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour (Visa free)

☛ 2 Days Beijing Best Highlights Tour (Hotel Pickup)

If you prefer independent travel, you can take the subway Line 4 to the Yuanmingyuan Station and take exit B. There are also many public buses available for you to transfer to or off the Yuanmingyuan Park, such as 424, 432, 664, etc. The route and schedule of public transportation are sometimes changeable. Please remember to double check before your trip.

Travel to Yuanmingyuan Park with China Discovery - Top Recommended

Yuanmingyuan Park Travel Tips

Ticket & Opening Hours

Best time to Visit

Yuanmingyuan Park is suitable for travel all year round and spring (March ~ May) and autumn (September ~ November) is the best time to visit. Spring is pleasant and autumn here is cool, neither too cold nor too hot. Summer is usually hot and rainy, but a good season to enjoy the prosperous nature as well as the best time for boating. Winter is cold, but you can enjoy the snow view of the pavilions, towers, and bridges - peaceful and pure. If you don't want to be overwhelmed by the crowds, please avoid visiting during Chinese Public Holidays.

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