Once the "Garden of Gardens," the Dashuifa ruins are awe-inspiring, and summer lotus blooms create a perfect blend of history and natural beauty.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) was first built in 1709 during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. Over 150 years of development spanning six emperors — Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng — it grew into a complex of three gardens covering 350 hectares with 160,000 square meters of buildings, earning the title "Garden of Gardens." It represented the pinnacle of Chinese garden art while incorporating Western architectural styles, making it the crowning achievement in the history of Chinese landscape design.
During the Second Opium War in 1860, British and French forces looted and burned Yuanmingyuan. This catastrophe sent countless precious relics overseas and reduced the magnificent complex to ruins. It later suffered further destruction during the Boxer Rebellion and warlord conflicts, leaving almost no buildings standing. Today, the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park serves as both a reminder of history and a call for peace.
The park officially opened to the public in 1988 and was designated a National Patriotic Education Base in 2008. Today it preserves the Dashuifa (Great Fountains) ruins, the Huanghuazhen maze, and other relics, along with extensive lotus gardens — the summer Lotus Festival is the park's most distinctive natural attraction. Yuanmingyuan serves not only as an important classroom for understanding modern Chinese history but also as a comprehensive park combining historical education, cultural experiences, and natural ecology.
Dashuifa (Great Fountains), located in the northern part of Changchun Garden, was the centerpiece of the Western Palaces area, designed by French missionary Jean-Denis Attiret, blending Baroque and traditional Chinese architectural styles. Today, the remaining white marble colonnades cast long shadows at sunset, creating the most iconic image of Yuanmingyuan. This is a must-visit place for reflecting on history and contemplating the rise and fall of civilizations, and a classic location featured in countless photographic works.
The Huanghuazhen (Wanhua Array) is a European-style maze garden in Yuanmingyuan, originally built for Emperor Qianlong to enjoy lantern-lit walks. The maze is formed by four-foot-high carved brick walls with an octagonal pavilion at its center. Now restored to its original form, visitors can walk through the maze themselves, experiencing the elegance of "lantern-lit strolls on Mid-Autumn nights" — a popular activity for family trips.
Near the Fuhai (Sea of Fortune) scenic area, these waters are home to a graceful flock of black swans. The swans against the rippling blue waters and distant classical building ruins create a unique picture blending East and West, past and present. Especially enchanting in the morning mist, as the swans glide through the water with poetic grace.
Yuanmingyuan boasts the largest lotus planting area in urban Beijing. Every year from June to August, the Lotus Festival features dozens of lotus varieties in full bloom — the scenery of "endless lotus leaves reaching to the sky, lotus flowers glowing red in the sun" is truly enchanting. Special lotus boardwalks allow close-up viewing and photography, making it an ideal summer retreat.
The panoramic sand table model in the Yuanmingyuan Exhibition Hall precisely recreates the garden at its peak on a 1:500 scale. Through the model and multimedia displays, visitors can vividly appreciate the grandeur of the "Garden of Gardens" in its glory days. The stark contrast with today's ruins carries powerful educational and commemorative significance.
Enter via South Gate → Qichun Garden → Western Palaces Ruins (Dashuifa, Guanshuifa) → Huanghuazhen Maze → Return to South Gate. Ideal for visitors short on time — head straight to the most iconic Western Palaces ruins for a quick yet impactful experience.
Enter via South Gate → Qichun Garden (lotus viewing, Jianbi Pavilion) → Three Gardens Junction → Western Palaces Ruins (Dashuifa, Haiyantang, Huanghuazhen) → Panoramic Sand Table Exhibition → Fuhai Area (Black Swan Lake, Lake Island) → Exit via East or South Gate. Covers the highlights of both historical relics and natural landscapes.
Enter via South Gate → Full tour of Qichun Garden → Three Gardens Junction → Yuanmingyuan Ruins Area (Zhengda Guangming Hall foundations, Jiuzhou Qingyan ruins) → Rear Lake Area → Western Palaces Ruins (Dashuifa, Haiyantang, Huanghuazhen, Xianfashan) → Panoramic Exhibition → Fuhai Area (boat ride, Black Swan Lake) → Wanchun Garden → Exit via East Gate. A comprehensive deep dive into the history and nature of all three gardens.
Lotus Festival: From June to August each year, over 100 acres of lotus bloom in full splendor, with dedicated viewing boardwalks and observation platforms. We recommend taking an electric boat through the lotus fields for a close-up experience of these elegant flowers "rising unsullied from the mud." The festival also features calligraphy exhibitions, photography contests, and other cultural events.
Dashuifa Memorial: Standing before the crumbling ruins of Dashuifa, listening to guides recount the glory of the Eight Banners and the looting by British and French forces, is the most powerful experience at Yuanmingyuan. Visit in the late afternoon — the sunset casts a warm glow on the white marble ruins, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene.
Huanghuazhen Maze Adventure: Bring the kids to explore the restored maze and race to see who reaches the central pavilion first. During Mid-Autumn night events, the park hosts "Lantern Maze" activities where participants carry lanterns through the maze, recreating the courtly entertainment of the Qianlong era.
VR Digital Restoration Experience: The exhibition hall offers VR equipment that lets you "walk into" a digitally restored Yuanmingyuan, witnessing the splendor of the "Garden of Gardens" as it once was. The combination of digital technology and historical ruins creates a time-traveling immersive experience.
Dining: Several restaurants are located near the South and East Gates, with simple meals and beverages available inside the park. After exiting the East Gate, head to the Wudaokou commercial area for diverse food options. Try nearby Beijing-style noodle shops and the many specialty restaurants around the universities.
Accommodation: Yuanmingyuan is adjacent to Peking University and Tsinghua University, with diverse accommodation options nearby. Hotels around Wudaokou and Zhongguancun are recommended for convenient Subway access and the vibrant atmosphere of a university town at night.
Nearby Attractions: The Summer Palace is just one Subway stop away — a combined visit is strongly recommended. Also nearby are Peking University (open to visitors when campus access is available), Tsinghua University, and Zhongguancun Innovation Street. Further north are Fragrant Hills Park and the Beijing Botanical Garden, ideal for a 2-3 day deep exploration.
Shopping: The Wudaokou commercial area and Hualian Shopping Center are nearby for everyday shopping needs. The park's souvenir shop offers Yuanmingyuan-themed cultural products, including ruin models and lotus-themed gifts.
Online · Usually replies within 5 min