Yuanmingyuan Park — Attraction in Beijing

Yuanmingyuan Park is a mesmerizing testament to China's rich history and the splendor of its imperial past. This park is an absolute treasure trove of cultural significance, offering a blend of scenic beauty and historical remnants that left me utterly captivated.

Walking through the vast grounds, I was enchanted by the remnants of ancient buildings, serene lakes, and carefully landscaped gardens. The park's layout beautifully combines elements of Chinese and Western architectural influences, creating a unique and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Exploring the ruins, particularly the intricate European-style buildings and the majestic waterways, offered a glimpse into the opulence of the Qing Dynasty. The juxtaposition of Eastern and Western design elements within the same space was truly intriguing and added depth to the historical narrative.

The park's ambiance is serene and contemplative, providing a perfect setting for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It's a place where one can appreciate the fusion of art, architecture, and nature while reflecting on the significance of the artifacts and the stories they hold.

While some structures lay in ruin, the remains evoke a sense of wonder and a poignant reminder of the park's rich history. The guides were knowledgeable and passionate, sharing stories that brought the park's past to life.

For anyone seeking a profound connection to China's imperial history, Yuanmingyuan Park is an absolute must-visit. It's a place that not only preserves history but also sparks curiosity and imagination about...

Although most of the structures have been destroyed, but this is a place that everyone should visit. Looking at the ruins, you can only imagine how glorious this place was and see the brilliance of the architect, engineer and the workmanship.

There's nothing we can do about it being destroyed by the war, we can only hope the stolen artifices will be returned to where it belongs. Hopefully one day, we don't have to see those items in another country's museum.

For those who are planning to visit this amazing park, please be prepared to walk for long hours. If you can, spend some fun time in the maze. My kids really enjoyed it.

There is no restaurant in the park, but you can get some snacks and instant noodles in the souvenior shop.

The park operates until quite late at night, but I won't advise to stay on unless you are familiar with the places, equipped with GPS or have a torch light with you.

The last time I visited this park was in 2015. Lucky me, I saw black swans back then. This time I was not so lucky; perhaps there were too many motor boats operating on the lake.

Nevertheless, Yuan Ming Yuan will always had a place in my memories due to its imperfection. Maybe we all need to lose sometime before we know how to...

It is the most beautiful park i have ever seen. You can get all the basic information about the three gardens in old summer palace on various websites. It is easy to reach here by subway (line 4). Take the subway going to Anheqiao north and get down at Yuanmingyuan park station. Take the exit B, and you can see south gate of the park within few meters. The ticket was just 10 ¥ and it was super surprising. Once you enter and walk about 800meters there is a junction of 3 gardens. It is very difficult to locate the ruins as there are no actual signs leading to ruins. There are various sign boards along the way though that take you to various areas of the park. There is internal shuttle available as also, bikes. Personally I found fuhai area to be the most serene and beautiful area of the park. It's covered in dense trees and opening leads to the lake. One can walk along side the lake or sit at a bench and enjoy the view. Changchun garden is beautiful. There is a lotus viewing area although to be frank, there were only handful of lotuses when I visited. Nevertheless its beautiful. There is an exhibit of bronze statues which is some kind of testament to the origin of chinese zodiacs. One can take a quick look. All in all...