Snowy Yuanmingyuan vs Summer Palace

Yuanmingyuan is situated in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing, adjacent to the Summer Palace. It comprises Yuanmingyuan, Changchun Garden, and Wanchun Garden, collectively known as the Three Yuanming Gardens. One of the most famous Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, Yuanmingyuan covers an area of over 5,200 mu (approx. 347 hectares) and features over 150 scenic spots. With a building area of 160,000 square meters, it was acclaimed as the 'Garden of Gardens.' During summer, the Qing emperors would come here to conduct state affairs. The Three Yuanming Gardens were also called the 'Summer Palace.'

Main gate ticket: adult ticket 10 RMB / concession ticket 5 RMB;

Xiyanglou Ruins Scenic Area: adult ticket 15 RMB / concession ticket 5 RMB;

Sand Table Panorama Model Exhibition: adult ticket 10 RMB / concession ticket 5 RMB;

Combo ticket (includes main gate ticket + Xiyanglou Ruins Scenic Area + Sand Table Panorama Model Exhibition):

adult ticket 25 RMB / concession ticket 10 RMB

Half-price tickets: minors under 18, full-time undergraduate and below students, and seniors aged 60-64 with valid ID.

Free admission: minors under 18, seniors over 65, retired revolutionary cadres, disabled military personnel, active soldiers, armed police officers, families of martyrs, and persons with disabilities, etc. with valid ID.

1. To Qichun Garden Palace Gate: bus routes 331, 424, 432, 438, 498, 508, 579, 601, 664, Te19, etc.

2. To Changchun Garden Palace Gate: bus routes 305, 320, 365, 375, 424, 432, 626, 664, 982, Te4, etc.

Metro Line 4, Yuanmingyuan Station, Exit B

Busda Direct Shuttle:

Meeting point: Huixin Xijie Nankou Subway Station, departs daily at 8:50 am, operates every day, very convenient. For this trip, we used the direct shuttle.

Route: Qichun Garden New Palace Gate → Jianbi Pavilion → Shican Bridge → Tianxin Shuimian → Hanqiu Hall Three-Arch Bridge → Xianren Chenglu Terrace → Bieyou Dongtian → Quyuan Fenghe → Pengdao Yaotai → Pinghu Qiuyue → Fanghu Shengjing → Xiyanglou Ruins (Wanhua Array Maze, Dashuifa, Guanshuifa) → Xianfa Hill → Yuanmingyuan Panorama Sand Table → Hanjing Hall Ruins → Qichun Garden, end of tour.

Visit Yuanmingyuan in summer to admire lotus flowers, and in winter to go skating and see the snow—truly delightful.

You can bring your own food. There are some light meals inside the park. If you want a better meal, there are Western and Chinese restaurants near Yuanmingyuan, though prices are slightly higher.

After lunch at 12:00, we boarded the bus at 1:00 sharp to head to the Summer Palace.

Second stop: Summer Palace

The Summer Palace [The Emperor's Back Garden]

The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden today. Northern imperial gardens exude a grand and dignified charm. Kunming Lake has crystal-clear water and expansive views, and the painted murals along the Long Corridor are most classic. Lotus flowers and goldfish are especially beautiful in summer, and the snowscape in deep winter is also stunning.

① Summer Palace ticket:

30 RMB per person (peak season) / 20 RMB (off-season). Combo ticket: 60 RMB (peak season) / 50 RMB (off-season).

Note: 1. The combo ticket includes the entrance fee and tickets to the inner gardens (which include Wenchang Gallery, Dehe Garden, Foxiang Pavilion, and Suzhou Street).

2. Discounted tickets are available for both general and combo tickets; discounted ticket: 15 RMB. Available for purchase on the official website.

Actually, considering all this, it's much more cost-effective to take the Busda direct shuttle.

Direct shuttle: meet at Huixin Xijie Nankou Exit B at 8:50 am, departs on time. First stop Yuanmingyuan, second stop Summer Palace. Adult 138 RMB/person, children 69 RMB/person (including admission).

In Beijing, without a guide, you really won't understand much—it's like just strolling through an ordinary park, haha.

After a snowfall, every snapshot of the Summer Palace looks like a blockbuster shot.

Enter through the East Palace Gate: Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian) — Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Dehe Yuan) — Hall of Jade Ripples (Yulan Tang) — Yiyun Hall — Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshou Tang) — Long Corridor (walk half of it to reach Paiyun Gate), take a boat from Paiyun Gate to the Bronze Ox on the other side of Kunming Lake, then walk along the West Causeway and the Six Bridges, enjoying the scenery. At the end of the West Causeway, you'll meet the Long Corridor again (walk the remaining half) to return to Paiyun Gate. Then ascend Longevity Hill to visit the Paiyun Hall and Foxiang Pavilion complex. Descend Longevity Hill to Suzhou Street and exit through the North Palace Gate.

Alternatively, enter through the East Palace Gate: Hall of Benevolence and Longevity — Yelü Chucai Shrine — Zhichun Pavilion — then walk back to the Grand Theater in Dehe Garden (additional ticket required, can skip) — Hall of Joyful Longevity (Shuimu Ziqin) — Long Corridor — Painting in the Middle — Marble Boat — return to Paiyun Gate, go uphill to Paiyun Hall (additional ticket) — Foxiang Pavilion — Hall of Infinite Wisdom — downhill to Suzhou Street (additional ticket) — exit through the North Palace Gate. This route covers most attractions, including the main ones: the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, Foxiang Pavilion, and Suzhou Street.

Let's check the time: excluding lunch, we spent about 7 hours exploring, and also listened to the guide for 7 hours. Around 4:30 pm, on our way back, we caught a glimpse of the exteriors of Tsinghua and Peking University—my youthful dream! Now I guess I'll have to pin my hopes on the kids, haha.

Summary: Honestly, I didn't think it would be this smooth to visit two gardens in one day. Special thanks to the lovely guide from Busda—she even gave us small gifts. It must have been tiring. Most importantly, the price was cheap and we had a guide. In Beijing, without a guide, you really can't comprehend the history. Before coming, I only knew these gardens from TV dramas, but after a professional guide explained everything, ah, now I get it! Haha.

Travelogue Contents: 1. Yuanmingyuan, 2. Tickets, 3. Transportation, 4. Tour Route, 5. Lunch and Self-pay, 6. Summer Palace, 7. Tickets, 8. Tour Route, 9. Travel Tips

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