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Ruins of the Old Summer Palace

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Elisabeth28
Elisabeth28
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Old Summer Palace

  • May 16, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Elisabeth28 from Cape Elizabeth
Old Summer Palace

Though its more famous neighbor gets all the press, in my opinion the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is well worth visiting, especially for those who are fed up with the crowds at the major tourist sites. The park, located in northwest Beijing, near the Summer Palace and just north of Beijing University, was a former imperial palace and summer retreat. The landscaping of the imperial pleasure gardens is all still there, including several large lakes, but the buildings were destroyed by the Anglo-French invasion force of 1860, leaving only some evocative ruins along the north edge of the park. Yuanmingyuan thus doesn't have much in the way of "sights," but this fact ensures that it is much less crowded than its newer neighbor. It therefore remains one of the few places in the city where it is possible to take a walk in relative peace and quiet. It is especially beautiful from early April through early May, when the flowering trees in bloom around the lakes create clouds of white, pink, and red, and the willows are just beginning to leaf out. On a clear day, the views west to the Western Hills and southeast to the city center are also quite beautiful and give a good perspective on the entire metropolitan area. Practicalities: Many of the buses to the Summer Palace also stop at Yuanmingyuan, so it is quite easy to get to despite being a bit out of the way. Also, if all you want to do is stroll, you only have to buy 15 yuan "men piao," not more expensive European Palace Ruins ticket.

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