A Day at the Summer Palace

Visit the Summer Palace, China’s largest surviving imperial garden and the former summer retreat of Empress Dowager Cixi. Stroll along the world’s longest painted corridor, lined with 546 scenes of West Lake and over 8,000 lifelike paintings of figures, landscapes, and flowers, transporting you through time. Wander along the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake, and explore the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, Hall of Jade Ripples, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and Zhi Chun Pavilion, experiencing the elegance and grandeur of imperial gardens with every step.

Next, continue to the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park), once known as the “Garden of Gardens,” blending imperial grandeur, Jiangnan garden charm, and European architectural elements. Though destroyed in 1860, the remaining ruins quietly tell the story of history and culture. Walking among the remnants, feel the majestic beauty of a legendary garden and the profound weight of China’s modern history, leaving an unforgettable impression.