Old Summer Palace, Walking Tour
A Beijing Journey Travel Recommended Side Trip
Enjoy the Quiet Beauty of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)
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A leisurely walk through this lovely complex of parks and palaces provides a tranquil retreat from modern Beijing. Once used exclusively by the Qing Dynasty Emperors, the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is now the perfect place for a day out. Meander the quiet, tree-lined paths past ponds filled with water lilies, take a paddle boat out on Fu Hai Lake, or find a quiet pavilion for a peaceful picnic lunch. |
Ornate Pillars Still Standing Majestically
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Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) was mostly destroyed by foreign troops, in 1860, at the end of the Second Opium War. Little remains of the original Summer Palace. Despite the broken masonry, the palace retains traces of its
former grandeur. The grounds and ruins of Yuanmingyuan are enchanting. Stand quietly and imagine yourself enjoying this imperial playground in the company of emperors and empresses. |
Three Young Princesses And Their New Hats |
A Peaceful Place For A Picnic |
Although broken, it is hard not to admire the artistry found amongst the ruins.
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| Old Summer Palace, Tranquil Garden |
Beauty is Found Everywhere |
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| Try to Find Your Way Through Emperor Qianlong's Maze |
A Field of Flowers Floating on the Lake |
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| Stop to Take a Picture |
A Treasure Trove of Ornate Frescoes |
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