The Summer Palace

I came to the Summer Palace in Beijing on the weekend. Walking in the garden, I felt the warmth of summer. The sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, mottled. Walking along the lake, the breeze was blowing, bringing a cool breeze, refreshing. Looking at the antique buildings, it seems to have traveled back to the past. Here, time seems to slow down. I enjoyed this refreshing mood on the weekend, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's great to embrace nature. At this moment, I just want to say, let's go to the park together and feel this beauty.

🌲The year is almost over. When I saw this topic on the platform, I thought it was interesting and wanted to share these beautiful photos. My four seasons of life photos don't feature me, but rather my models. The beauty of 365 days is worth recording. 🈶Although I worked as an editor for a photography media company for many years, I always thought my portrait photography skills were average. Maybe it was because I was a homebody and a gearhead. In 2023 and 2024, I added this option to my photography life. Not only did I overcome my social anxiety, but I also captured many beautiful moments. I recorded their 365 days in Beijing, every season, and every scene. As a photographer, it's a joy to capture beauty. Here are the locations: January–February: Spring Festival portraits (near Drum Tower and Houhai) February–March: Spring flower portraits (Lianhuachi Park) April–May: Spring flower portraits (South Garden of the Botanical Garden) May–June: Spring flower portraits (Jingshun Garden) June–July: Summer flower portraits (Yuanmingyuan) July–August: Summer ancient architecture portraits (Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum) September–October: Fall flower portraits (Olympic Forest Park South Garden) September–October: Fall flower portraits (Olympic Forest Park North Garden) October–November: Fall ancient architecture portraits (Summer Palace) November–December: Fall color-changing portraits (Summer Palace) November–December: Fall color-changing portraits (Side Park) December–January: Christmas portraits (Sanlitun) December–January: Winter snow portraits (Temple of Heaven) ❗I'm grateful to have grown up in Beijing, a city with four distinct seasons. There are countless places to take great photos. There are 365 sunrises in a year. I wish everyone a new year full of great photos. Thanks to the "them" in my lens.

Intro - summer palace is also known as "Thanh Y Park", located in Beijing, China. This place was built in 1888, with a cost of about 300 million taels. After 10 years of construction, this place was officially renamed Di Hoa Vien. Attractions - Beijing Dihua Park has a strong architectural imprint of ancient China, which combines culture and feng shui elements, hiding many special meanings. In which there are 2 main meanings which are Phuc Loc Tho and national peace and people's peace. With Phuc Loc Tho, the entire campus is built according to a very strict layout including a series of lakeside corridors combined with Van Tho mountain to create the image of bat wings spreading out (Phuc); Con Minh lake with the shape of a peach and the stalk is the river leading water into the lake (Loc); in the middle of the lake there is an island connected to the shore by a stone bridge that looks like the image of a turtle sticking out (Tho). Hotels - Chengxuan Hotel, FURAMAXPRESS BUSINESS HOTEL - Beijing Food & Restaurants - Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant Shopping - Shell Convenience Store #autumnbeauty #historicallandmarks #localguides

During my recent trip to Beijing, one of the highlights was undoubtedly my visit to the Summer Palace. Covering an expansive area filled with ancient temples, serene lakes and lush gardens, the Summer Palace offers unique blend of nature and culture, capturing the essence of imperial China in every corner. Here’s a glimpse into my morning exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site, along with some useful tips and insights for your own visit! #historicallandmarks The Summer Palace is massive, and it’s easy to get lost in its beauty. With sprawling gardens, intricate bridges, and pavilions scattered along the shimmering Kunming Lake, every step felt like stepping back in time. One of my favourite parts was walking through the Long Corridor, an impressively decorated walkway filled with thousands of colourful paintings depicting historical scenes and Chinese folktales. #culturalattractions #explore The palace also houses the magnificent Tower of Buddhist Incense, perched on Longevity Hill and offering breathtaking views over the lake and gardens. Standing here, it’s easy to understand why the Summer Palace was the retreat for the emperors - a true sanctuary from city life. #temple Interesting Facts About the Summer Palace: - Historical Significance: Originally built in the 18th century, the Summer Palace served as a royal retreat, especially for Empress Dowager Cixi, who was said to have adored this palace. #history - Size and Layout: It spans over 700 acres, with Kunming Lake covering three-quarters of the area. The palace and gardens were meticulously designed following Feng Shui principles to harmonise with nature. - The Long Corridor: This is the longest painted corridor in the world, stretching over 728 meters, adored with nearly 14,000 paintings. Useful Tips for Visiting the Summer Palace: - Timing is everything: Arrive early to enjoy the palace in a quieter setting. A morning visit is ideal, as the area becomes crowded by midday. - Dress comfortably: The grounds are extensive, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during warmer months. - Boat ride on Kunming Lake: Don’t miss the boat ride for a different view of the palace. You can take a traditional dragon boat for a unique perspective from a lake. - Photography spots: For the best photos, head to the top of Longevity Hill and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which offers picturesque views of Kunming Lake and the palace grounds. Visiting the Summer Palace was a truly memorable experience, and it’s a must-see for anyone looking to capture the magic of Beijing’s imperial past. #tourism

A garden within a garden in the Summer Palace. 99.9% of tourists don't visit this place, but the autumn scenery is amazing. This is Xiequ Garden. I've been to the Summer Palace twice, so this time I deliberately avoided the main attractions and focused on an autumn tour. I have to thank the various travel guides on different platforms, which are detailed and practical, and let me know that there is a Xiequ Garden in the Summer Palace. After visiting, I saw the beautiful scenery and was amazed. Enter from the east gate of the Summer Palace, which is the gate for tour groups. Avoid the crowds and follow the signs to Xiequ Garden. It is not far. This garden is built in the style of Jichang Garden in Wuxi. It not only has the elegance of a Jiangnan garden, but also the grandeur of a northern garden, especially with the colorful autumn leaves in the courtyard. When I went there, the leaves were falling with the wind, so hurry up and enjoy it.

To avoid the crowds at the main entrance, be sure to head to the North Ruyi Gate, where there will be far fewer people 😜! It's very convenient to enter, and you don't need to queue up to swipe your card. Where is the North Ruyi Gate 🧐? It's just 300 meters ahead of the North Palace Gate. There are at least hundreds of people queuing at the North Palace Gate, but no one at the North Ruyi Gate, so you can just walk right in 👣. After entering, start your mobile navigation and follow it for about 300 meters to reach the Painted Boat 🖼. For those who love to take photos, don't miss this spot; it's really beautiful 🤩. However, you can no longer take photos on the top stones recently, as they have been sealed off, but you can still take stunning photos from outside the railings 📷! After leaving the Painted Boat, follow along Kunming Lake, and you'll pass several scenic spots 👀. The Long Corridor, said to be the longest corridor in classical gardens, is adorned with various paintings of flowers, birds, figures, and landscapes 👏. The lakeside of Kunming Lake is very beautiful, with sparkling waves ✨. You can stay a bit longer, take some photos, and leisurely enjoy the scenery of the garden. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge, the bridge and stone lions from the elementary school Chinese textbook are right here, and many people come here to check in and take photos 📸. Then leisurely, you can cross the bridge, head to the newly repaired gate, and directly exit 😄. This is just a small part of the Summer Palace 😎, but a day is enough to enjoy it.

| Landscape painting in Qianlong's dream. The origin of Painting in the Dream is quite legendary. It is said that Emperor Qianlong had a dream and then asked the painter to paint the pavilions in the dream, and then built Painting in the Dream on Wanshou Mountain according to this painting blueprint🧐. It was built during the Qianlong period and is a group of viewing buildings in the west of Wanshou Mountain. The building is built on the mountain, and the view here is super wide😎. To the south, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Kunming Lake, and to the west, you can see Yuquan Mountain. Walking in it, looking at the scenery along the corridor, looking at the lake and mountains on the pavilion, it is really like walking in a painting. 📌Travel tips: 🎈Transportation: It is recommended to enter the Summer Palace from the North Ruyi Gate, and you can reach Painting in the Dream by walking about 700 meters. This is a closer route. 🎈Tickets: The Summer Palace ticket is CNY 30, and no additional ticket is required for Painting in the Dream. The opening hours are 8:00 - 18:00. 🎈Precautions: 👉The terrain of Painting in the Dream is steep, friends with the elderly and children must be careful, especially when taking pictures on the stone, it feels a bit dangerous. 👉If you want to take pictures, it is best to choose a clear and transparent day. And you must go early, Painting in the Dream opens at 8:00 in the morning. Many friends may pass the back door of Painting in the Dream, but the back door is not open. At this time, don't mistake it for the wrong way, you can enter by going around the front door. 📸Photo check-in: 💕It only takes about 10 minutes to walk from the North Ruyi Gate to Painting in the Dream. It's very close. The terrain of Painting in the Dream is relatively high, and the latter half is a mountain climbing route, so you should wear shoes that are easy to walk. 💕When you arrive at Painting in the Dream, climb directly to the highest point, and then there are many beautiful positions on both sides of the road that can be checked in. However, some of the very popular positions on the Internet are now fenced, and some cannot be entered, but the photographer can stand high and find an angle, and can still take similar beautiful photos. And you need to post-process to remove many fences and red warning lines in the lens to have the same picture on the Internet.

Hey, dear travel buddies! Ready to add a touch of 'royal' flair to your daily routine? Then join me on a time machine ride straight to the Summer Palace to explore those ancient yet playful secrets! 📍 **Location:** In the western suburbs of Beijing, a royal garden hidden on the edge of the city. 🚶♂ **Departure:** We start from Kunming Lake, with its picturesque lake and mountain scenery, shimmering waves—doesn't it make you feel like a little emperor/princess? Rent a boat, row, row, row to the other side to find the legendary 'Marble Boat'. 🌉 **Bridge and Rainbow:** Don't forget to walk across the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, count if there really are seventeen arches, then stand on the bridge, strike a POSE, take a photo, and show it off in your social circle! 🏯 **Palace Exploration:** Next, let's visit the Paiyun Hall and the Tower of Buddhist Incense, see how the ancient bigwigs enjoyed life. Remember to look up at those exquisite murals and carvings, each with its own story! 🌳 **Stroll Along the Long Corridor:** Don't forget to take a walk in the world's longest painted corridor, 789 meters, not too long or too short, just enough for you to get creative and shoot a series of 'time-travel' masterpieces. 🍜 **Gourmet Refueling Station:** Tired from walking? There's no shortage of delicacies in the Summer Palace, find a corner, and enjoy a royal picnic! 📸 **Check-in Holy Land:** Finally, don't forget to leave your footprint on 'Suzhou Street', its antique charm will definitely make your social circle shine. 🎒 **Tips:** Wear comfortable shoes, as you might walk a lot; bring your camera or phone, because you will definitely take a lot of photos; and don't forget to bring your good mood, because every spot here is a reason for you to smile. The Summer Palace is not just a garden; it is an open history book, a living scroll of paintings, and a magical place where you can relax and rediscover the joy of childhood. Let's go, let's embark on an impromptu time travel adventure at the Summer Palace!

►We often envy the stunning photos of popular attractions taken by professional photographers, and how good the portraits look! ▪Actually, it's not difficult, professional photographers just get up a few hours earlier, catch the light and shadows around sunrise, then find a few more angles, and even with a mobile phone, you can take great shots! ▪Today, we're going to the Summer Palace to take a set of portrait masterpieces around sunrise! What you need to prepare: 1) Bring your bestie to take photos of each other, 2) Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise, 3) Wear light-colored clothes, a hat can be a nice touch ►Keep this photo-taking guide with your bestie ① Departure time and sunrise angle Winter sunrises are later, we arrived around 6:50 am, entering from the West Gate of the Summer Palace, many spots were already taken by photographers shooting time-lapses. Around 7:20 am, the sun rose from the northeast, at a 60-degree angle from the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, my bestie and I took photos towards the sunrise along the West Causeway, a view at every step, take several shots at each angle, choose the best one, don't center the person in the frame, usually, it looks better a bit to the right, see reference images 3, 4, 5, 6 ② Recommended spots after sunrise ⚬ Picture-in-Picture Picture-in-Picture is the most popular spot in the Summer Palace since its reopening, many angles are very photogenic, the glazed tiles and red walls exude an elegant grandeur of the last glory of that era, the backgrounds in images 7, 8 are beautiful, take several shots with your bestie! ⚬ Various Corridors The Summer Palace has many corridors and long galleries that are very photogenic, especially in the morning when there are not many people, now take a few shots with your bestie in the corridors, see image 9 ⚬ Harmonious Interest Garden This garden is the most photogenic in the Summer Palace, every angle has its own beauty, and the overall architecture hasn't been heavily renovated, the original feel is very poetic, as shown in image 10, here you can take a few time-travel photos with your bestie! ►Playtime: The overall journey takes about 2 to 3 hours, since you get up early, after taking photos, you'll find that there aren't many visitors ►Ticket: Bought a general admission ticket, off-season price is 20 yuan

#chinatrip ## 🏯 A Glimpse into Imperial Grandeur The Summer Palace in Beijing, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a stunning example of traditional Chinese garden design. It spans over 290 hectares, with 75% of it covered by the serene Kunming Lake. The palace served as a royal retreat for the Qing Dynasty emperors, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city. ## 🌳 Top Attractions ### 🌸 Longevity Hill Climb this hill to enjoy panoramic views of the entire palace complex. The Tower of Buddhist Incense at the top is a must-see. ### 🛶 Kunming Lake Take a boat ride on the lake, inspired by Hangzhou's West Lake, and marvel at the 17-Arch Bridge. ### 🌿 Seventeen-Arch Bridge This iconic bridge is perfect for a picturesque stroll, offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding landscapes. ### 🏯 The Marble Boat A striking structure symbolizing stability and strength, located at the lake's edge. ## 🚶 How to Reach The Summer Palace is accessible via multiple modes of transportation: - **Subway:** Line 4 to Beigongmen Station (北宫门站), then walk 5 minutes. - **Bus:** Numerous bus routes including 303, 331, 332, 346, 508, and 579 stop near the palace. ## 🌞 Best Time to Visit Visit in spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) for pleasant weather and vibrant scenery. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter offers a peaceful, snowy landscape. ## ⭐ Rating **Rating:** ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) The Summer Palace is a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination in Beijing. #beachlife #flowerlover #songkran2024 #cherryblossom2024 #themepark #beijing #china_visits🙌🏻 #memorable_trip #mytripvlog

Spring in the Summer Palace is so beautiful, and there are more tourists. How can you avoid the crowds when bringing children to the Summer Palace and have a leisurely and enjoyable time? The answer is boating! Entering from the South Ruyi Gate is the least crowded. After crossing the Xiuyi Bridge, you will arrive right at the Xiuyi Bridge Pier, where you can take a boat to the Opposite Oufang Pier. The whole trip takes 20 minutes, with beautiful scenery along the way, clear ripples on the water, and a great mood. Children are of course happy to take a boat, full of curiosity all the way. There are not many people on the boat, allowing for a multi-angle experience and feeling. The breeze is cool, and spring in Beijing is just beautiful! Getting off the boat at the Opposite Oufang Pier leads you to the Long Corridor. Follow the corridor to the right and exit through the East Palace Gate to end the wonderful trip to the Summer Palace. Boat ride: 40 RMB per person Summer Palace ticket: 30 RMB per person

✨Beijing Summer Palace Travel Guide✨ 📍Location: Beijing Summer Palace 🎫Tickets: CNY 30 for adults, CNY 60 for combo tickets. 🚇Transportation: Subway: Beigongmen Station on Line 4 or Xiyuan Station on Line 16, about a 15-minute walk from the station. Bus: Take lines 374, 74, etc. 🌳Tour routes: Lazy version: Enter from Beiruyimen, pass through Huazhongyou, Foxiangge, etc., and exit from Beigongmen. Take photos and post them, suitable for lazy people. Full coverage version: Enter from Donggongmen, covering many major attractions, such as Renshoudian, Changlang, etc., and finally exit from Donggongmen, suitable for those with plenty of time. In-depth experience version: Enter from Beigongmen, visit various attractions in depth, feel the exquisite royal garden, and exit from Donggongmen. Half-day tour version: Enter from Xinjian Gongmen, quickly appreciate the essence, and exit from Donggongmen. 📸Must-see attractions: Kunming Lake: You can row a boat, and the lake and mountains are beautiful. Changlang: The longest gallery in the world, with many paintings. Foxiangge: You can overlook the whole view. Seventeen-Arch Bridge: Connects two places, with different stone lions. Suzhou Street: Imitates the water town of Jiangnan, experiencing the old Beijing style. Huazhongyou: Good for taking photos, with photographers who can take portraits. 🍁Autumn viewing (applicable in autumn): Enter the park from Beigongmen, there are sacred trees and red bridges (good light from 11 am to 2 pm) in the back lake, Xiequyuan has beautiful scenery, Yingxulou has golden ginkgo (good light from 2 pm to 4 pm), about 3 to 4 hours, you can bring snacks to enjoy the autumn scenery, and exit the park from Beiruyimen. 📝Tips: Wear comfortable shoes, the park is big. Avoid peak holidays to enhance the experience.