The Old Summer Palace Ruins Park is in Haidian District, Beijing, and is a national 5A tourist attraction.

Old Summer Palace Ruins Park

The Old Summer Palace Ruins Park is in Haidian District, Beijing, and is a national 5A tourist a…

🥇 5A Level 🗺️ Beijing 🏙️ Beijing 🔀 Mixed

Spot Facts

Level 5A

Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Tour Guide

Real coordinates · smooth curved route
Yuanmingyuan in Haidian, Beijing, was an imperial garden complex of three parks covering 350 hectares, once hailed as the "Garden of Gardens". Burned by Anglo-French forces in 1860, its ruins now serve as a site of patriotic education. Lakes and lotus ponds spread across the grounds, while the Western-style structures of the Xiyang Lou — the Dashuifa fountains, Yuan Ying Guan and Haiyan Tang — survive as haunting columns. Allow 3-4 hours on foot or by boat.
⏳ Loading map…
  1. South Gate
    Start · Entrance
  2. Qichun Garden
    about 870 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
    Enter Qichun Garden from the South Gate; lakes connect within the garden and withered lotus sway. Walk north along the lake shore to Fuhai—the largest artificial lake in Yuanmingyuan, with open water where you can take a replica antique boat across the lake and gaze at the Western Hills. About 1 hour. Why this route: First see the lake scenery of Qichun Garden and Fuhai, feel the scale and mood of the "Garden of Gardens," and set the stage for the later shock of the ruins.
  3. Fuhai Lake
    about 910 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
  4. Western Ruins (Dashuifa)
    about 850 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
    Take a boat or walk to the Western Mansions ruins in the northeast of the park: Dashuifa (a group of artificial fountains, now only marble broken columns remain), Yuanyingguan, and Haiyantang (site of the twelve zodiac animal-head fountains, most of which are now overseas). The white marble broken columns stand silently among the weeds, striking to the eye. About 40 minutes. Why this route: The Western Mansions are the epitome of Yuanmingyuan's destruction; the contrast between broken stone columns and exquisite carvings is powerful—a must-see scene for every Chinese visitor.
  5. Haiyan Tang
    about 80 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
  6. Huanghuazhen Maze
    about 310 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Sight
    After the ruins, try the Huanghua Maze (rebuilt after a Western maze, with a pavilion in the center), then exit through the East Gate. If time permits, climb the earthen hill in the park to look back at the Western Mansions. About 30 minutes. Why this route: The Huanghua Maze is one of the few interactive sights in the park; walking the maze is great fun and a relaxing way to end before leaving.
  7. East Gate
    about 830 m (straight line) from the previous stop · Entrance

Things to Note

北京海淀区清华西路28号圆明园遗址公园
Back