Attraction
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The walled palace of the Ming and Qing emperors, now the Palace Museum, with almost a thousand surviving buildings and a vast collection of art and…
Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)
The ruins of the vast Qing imperial gardens destroyed in 1860, including the carved stone remains of the European-style palaces designed by Jesuit missionaries.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic garden ruins
- Area
- Haidian, Beijing, China
Good to know
- Ruins of European-style palaces
- Lakes and gardens
- Near Yuanmingyuan Park station on Line 4
Why we recommend it
The Old Summer Palace, known in Chinese as Yuanmingyuan, was once the largest of the Qing dynasty's imperial gardens, covering about 350 hectares in what is now Haidian district. It is really three gardens: the Garden of Perfect Brightness, the Garden of Eternal Spring and the Garden of Elegant Spring. Work began in 1707, when the Kangxi Emperor gave the land to his son Prince Yong, later the Yongzheng Emperor, who expanded it greatly from 1725. The gardens grew under each emperor into a huge complex of palaces, lakes and pavilions.
The best-known part today is the area of European-style palaces, the Xiyang Lou, begun under the Qianlong Emperor in 1747. They were designed by the Jesuit missionaries Giuseppe Castiglione and Michel Benoist, who was responsible for the fountains and waterworks. The most famous feature was the Haiyantang fountain clock, with twelve bronze animal heads of the Chinese zodiac that spouted water in turn every two hours and all together at noon. What remains are carved marble columns, arches and fountain basins, which make a striking contrast with the Chinese gardens around them.
The gardens were destroyed during the Second Opium War. In 1860, British and French troops occupied and looted the palace, and after Qing authorities imprisoned and tortured an Anglo-French delegation, Lord Elgin ordered its destruction. British troops burned it over three days. The site has been left largely as ruins, and the broken stonework is a reminder of that event.
Today the ruins are open to the public as Yuanmingyuan Park, so a visit is as much a long walk through former imperial gardens as a history lesson. At 350 hectares the park is several times the size of the Forbidden City, so expect to cover a lot of ground on foot and allow at least two to three hours.
Take Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station. The Summer Palace is a short taxi ride to the west, and the two make a natural pairing, though a full day at both is demanding. The park suits history enthusiasts, walkers and families with older children who are happy to walk.
Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) FAQs
What happened to the Old Summer Palace?
British and French troops looted it in 1860, during the Second Opium War, and Lord Elgin ordered it burned; the fires lasted three days.
What are the European palaces?
Stone palaces and fountains begun in 1747, designed by the Jesuits Giuseppe Castiglione and Michel Benoist.
What was the zodiac fountain?
The Haiyantang fountain clock, whose twelve zodiac animal heads spouted water in turn every two hours.
How do you get there?
Take Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station.
How big is the park?
About 350 hectares, made up of three gardens.
How long should I allow?
At least two to three hours, as the ruins are a long walk from some entrances.
Can I combine it with the Summer Palace?
Yes. The Summer Palace is a short taxi ride west, though both in one day is a lot of walking.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, for families who are happy to walk, as the park covers about 350 hectares.