Old Summer Palace (Ruins of Yuanmingyuan)
Generally speaking, the old Summer Palace consists of three parts - Yuanmingyuan, Wanchunyuan (the Garden of Blossoming Spring) and Changchunyuan (the Garden of Eternal Spring). These three gardens are often referred to as one common name: Yuanmingyuan. Hundreds of scenic spots in the Garden are made up of exquisitely constructed halls, pavilions, chambers, kiosks, earth and rock hills, rivers and ponds, and exotic flowers and grasses from different parts of the country. Indeed, it embodies the essence of Chinese ancient landscape gardening.
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 Old Summer Palace Pictures |
To be distinct from other traditional Chinese Gardens, the garden construction and horticulture of the Old Summer Palace is a harmonious blend of typical Chinese scenery and western architecture. Famous scenic spots in it include the Grand Waterworks, the Throne for viewing the Waterworks and the Labyrinth. No wonder the Old Summer Palace was also called the 'garden of gardens' or the 'Versailles of the East' in Europe during that era. Furthermore, it was also an imperial museum that collected a large number of books, treasures and cultural artifacts. However, a large number of these collections were plundered by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860, at the same time as the Garden was burnt down. Now, most of these historical curiosities are displayed in the other countries' museums, including the British Museum; Bibliotheque Nationale de France; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA; Oslo Museum of Applied Art and so on.
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The vast majority of the remaining scenic spots were destroyed in the 1900s, but under the due protection of the ruins, a park has been established on the ruin site. So visitors can imagine the former grandeur of it from the crumbling walls and ruins. What's more, there is also an opportunity for visitors to view the complete picture of the garden in its 'heyday' in the exhibition hall. The reconstruction of some of the original structures and scenic spots provides people with a lovely place to relax.
Each year, a Lotus Festival is held in this park from June to August. Changchunyuan Garden is the best place to appreciate lotus flowers.
How to get to the Old Summer Palace
By Subway:Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Yuanmingyuan Station. Get out from Exit B and you can see the south gate of the park.
By Bus:
South Gate: Take bus 332, 432, 508, 579, 594, 584, 601, 664, or 686 and get off at Yiheyuan Rd. East Station. East Gate: Take bus 305, 320, 365, 375, 424, 432, 614, 681 or 982 and get off at East Yuanmingyuan Rd. Station. Zaoyuan Gate: 303, 331, 346, 394, 437, 476, 534, 563 or 608 and get off at North Xiyuan Station. Then walk northward to the Zaoyuan Gate.Beijing Bus / Subway Search
| Admission Fee | Entrance Fee: CNY 10 Sites of European Palaces: CNY 15 Exhibition Hall of Yuanmingyuan in Heyday: CNY 10 Combo Ticket: CNY 25  Note: free for minors and the old over 60 |
| Opening Hours | Apr. 1 - Oct. 31: 7:00 - 19:00 Nov. 1 - Mar. 31: 7:00 - 17:30 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit | 2 hours |
Battery Car Service| Ticket Price | CNY15 |
| Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
Further Reading:Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing in Winter
Top 10 Beijing Historical Sites You Should Not Miss