Yuanmingyuan + Summer Palace - Royal Garden Tour

Number of days: 1 day
Time: August
Average cost: 150 yuan
With whom: and parents
Tour kinds: Group tours, saving money, weekend trips
Updated: 2022.07.28

During the holidays, you absolutely can't miss the opportunity to take your kids on an adventure, and Beijing is definitely the perfect place. Beijing is filled with fascinating attractions, including hutongs, teahouses, skyscrapers, palaces and gardens, and the former residences of celebrities. It's a blend of history and culture, yet a modern metropolis. Take advantage of this holiday to bring your parents and children to Beijing for a stroll and a chance to broaden your horizons. No matter your age or social status, you can find happiness in Beijing.

Beijing is truly vast, and its attractions are scattered. For first-time visitors unfamiliar with the area, booking a group tour online is both safer and hassle-free. We signed up for a day trip to the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace, which included a car, a guide, and entrance fees. Best of all, there were no shopping options. The group met at the south entrance of Huixin West Street, was easily accessible, and the overall experience was excellent.

First, explore the Old Summer Palace. In addition to the buildings that a garden should have, the most famous one is the Great Fountain. The Great Fountain is the symbol of the Old Summer Palace. It has been severely damaged, leaving only a few ruins for memorial. The only thing left is to take photos and check in. See the picture below

The Old Summer Palace is very large, as you can see from the picture. The focus is on the area in the red frame.

Next, let's explore the Summer Palace and experience the idyllic life of the imperial family. (Image: src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/0106u1200099854758878_W_671_0_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" />

The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial palace and garden.

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, once the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers in the garden, was the venue for court meetings and receptions with foreign envoys. It was the park's primary venue for political activities.) Since ancient times, the dragon has symbolized the emperor, sitting at the center of the empire; the phoenix represents the empress, managing the harem and taking a more peripheral position. However, after Cixi began ruling from behind the curtain, she broke with the traditional arrangement of the dragon and phoenix to reflect her supreme status and power, surpassing the emperor. She placed the phoenix in the center and the dragons on either side. The Long Corridor is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's longest corridor. Every beam in the corridor is painted with over 14,000 paintings, including landscapes, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and people's stories. The figure paintings on the beams are all based on classic Chinese works, which you can admire as you walk around. This is the part where you'll test your knowledge. Kunming Lake was the largest of the imperial gardens during the Qing Dynasty. The bronze bull is located on the east bank of Kunming Lake, north of the east end of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. It was used to suppress floods. Cast from copper, it is called the "Golden Bull." The Seventeen-Arch Bridge, situated over Kunming Lake, is the largest stone bridge in the park, consisting of 17 arches. Over 500 stone lions of varying sizes and shapes are carved into the railings on both sides of the bridge. Every year during the winter solstice, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge becomes a star attraction in the Summer Palace. Take long-range photos from the Long Corridor for stunning views. Located in the middle section of the front hill of Wanshou Mountain, the Tower of Buddhist Incense is an eight-sided, three-story, four-tiered building. Its complex structure makes it a masterpiece of classical architecture and a landmark of the entire park. The Hall of Dispelling Clouds, along with the Archway, the Dispelling Clouds Gate, the Golden Water Bridge, and the Second Palace Gate, forms a rising straight line. This architectural group is the most spectacular of the Summer Palace's architectural complexes. We can leisurely and indulge in the beauty of the Summer Palace's landscape, satisfying our spiritual enjoyment and needs. Leshou Hall, the sleeping quarters of Empress Dowager Cixi, faces Kunming Lake in front, leans against Longevity Mountain in the back, reaches the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity in the east, and connects to the Long Corridor in the west. It is the most beautiful place in the park for living and recreation. The courtyard is planted with magnolias, crabapples, peonies, and other famous flowers, symbolizing "wealth and prosperity in the Jade Hall." The Qing Yan Fang, commonly known as the Stone Boat, is the only Western-style structure in the Summer Palace. 36 meters long, it is constructed from carved marble and features a two-story hull. The floor is paved with decorative tiles, the windows are made of stained glass, and the ceiling is decorated with carved bricks. This exquisite blend of Eastern and Western influences is a must-see!

The perfect trip to the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace is coming to an end. On the way back, I took photos at the gates of Tsinghua University and Peking University as souvenirs.

Beijing specialties recommended

Luzhu, huoshao, fried chicken, rice cakes, fried tripe, Huguosi snacks, mengding meat pie, luzhu, fried liver, copper pot hot pot meat, zhajiangmian, etc. There are so many delicious dishes, you need to go and try them yourself~~~~

TIP:

First, Beijing is currently a low-risk area, but entering the city requires a nucleic acid test within 48 hours. Furthermore, your itinerary card must show no travel history to medium- or high-risk areas, meaning no quarantine is required.

Second, your Beijing Health Code must be green, a must for travel.

Finally, and most importantly, bring your ID! Scan your ID to enter the park!

Warm reminder: Travel safety is the most important thing. Be sure to choose a reputable travel agency when traveling~~