The Old Summer Palace

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Spot Introduction

The Old Summer Palace, originally built in 1707 (the 46th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign), underwent construction under the successive reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. It was the largest royal garden of the Qing Dynasty, earning the reputation of the “Garden of All Gardens.” The garden is a testament to the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, featuring a harmonious blend of Chinese landscape art and Western architectural art. Tragically, it was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860, and the existing ruins serve as a witness to modern Chinese history.

Covering an area of 350 hectares, the Old Summer Palace consists of three gardens: the Original Yuanmingyuan, Changchun Garden, and Qichun Garden. There were once over 100 scenic spots within the garden, including palaces, towers, pavilions, and waterside houses, as well as natural landscapes such as lakes, rockeries, flowers, and trees. The garden design combines the delicacy of Jiangnan gardens with the grandeur of northern gardens, while incorporating Western architectural elements to form a unique artistic style.

Some of the most famous landscapes in the garden include the Western-style Buildings Scenic Area, Fuhai Lake, and Jiuzhou Qingyan. The Western-style Buildings Scenic Area is a group of Sino-Western architecture, where ruins such as the Grand Waterworks and Haiyan Hall still reveal their former glory. The ruins of the Grand Waterworks are one of the most representative landscapes in the Old Summer Palace, featuring exquisite stone carvings and a unique fountain design that showcases the perfect combination of Chinese and Western architectural art. Fuhai Lake is the largest lake in the garden, with multiple islands connected by bridges, forming a classic garden layout known as “One Pond, Three Mountains.” The Jiuzhou Qingyan Scenic Area embodies the royal demeanor of “All under heaven is the king’s land,” with its symmetrical layout of buildings along the central axis, exuding a sense of grandeur.

The Old Summer Palace is not only a garden but also a treasure house of art. It once housed a large collection of precious cultural relics, including paintings, calligraphy, porcelain, and bronze ware.

Spot Introduction

The garden design also incorporates artistic elements such as poetry, calligraphy, and painting, reflecting the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Each landscape in the garden has its unique cultural connotation and artistic value. For example, “Quyuan Fenghe” is inspired by the Ten Sceneries of the West Lake, and “Pinghu Qiuyue” reproduces the artistic conception of the water towns in Jiangnan.

Today, the Old Summer Palace Ruins Park is not only an important historical relic, but also a base for patriotic education. Visitors can experience the charm of ancient Chinese garden art here, while remembering history and cherishing peace. Various cultural activities, such as the Lotus Flower Festival and Chrysanthemum Exhibition, are held in the park during spring and autumn every year, allowing visitors to appreciate the beautiful scenery and feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Must-visit Attractions

  1. Ruins of the Western-style Buildings

    • A representative combination of Chinese and Western architectural art
    • Famous architectural ruins such as the Grand Water Method and Haiyan Hall
    • Suggested visiting time: 90 minutes

  2. Fuhai Scenic Area

    • The largest lake in the Old Summer Palace
    • Boat tours are available
    • Suggested visiting time: 60 minutes

  3. Jiuzhou Scenic Area

    • Built to imitate famous scenic spots across China
    • Reflects the characteristics of Jiangnan gardens
    • Suggested visiting time: 45 minutes

  4. Ruins Museum

    • Learn about the history of the Old Summer Palace
    • Displays precious cultural relics and historical materials
    • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route

    • Main entrance → Ruins Museum → Ruins of Western-style Buildings → Fuhai Scenic Area → Jiuzhou Scenic Area
    • It is recommended to follow the order of the tour map.

  2. Visiting Schedule

    • It is recommended to enter the park after it opens in the morning.
    • Avoid the strong sunlight during noon.
    • The park is open all year round, and spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting.

  3. Practical Tips

    • The park is large, so it is recommended to rent a sightseeing car.
    • Please bring sunscreen and drinking water.
    • It is recommended to hire a commentator or use the voice guidance system.

Transportation Guide

  • Subway: Line 4, Old Summer Palace Station
  • Bus: Special Line 8 Outer Ring, 332, 432, 656, 690, etc.
  • Self-driving: Parking is available at the Old Summer Palace parking lot.
  • Sightseeing car: Electric car services are available within the park.
  1. Snack Street at the West Gate of the Old Summer Palace
  2. Food Street at the West Gate of Peking University
  3. Wu Dao Kou Food Plaza
  4. Food Street on Nongda South Road

Special Reminders

  1. Please do not climb or touch the ruins area.
  2. Please protect the environment and do not litter.
  3. Electric cars are available for rent within the park.
  4. The roads may be slippery during rainy days, please be careful.
  5. It is recommended to bring a camera as the ruins landscapes are suitable for photography.
  6. There are more visitors during major holidays, so it is recommended to avoid peak travel times.