Yuanmingyuan Park (couple trip)
How Couple-Friendly is Yuanmingyuan Park?
What makes it 88% Couple-Friendly: Long tree-lined paths, lotus-covered lakes and sunset boat rides make a quiet, romantic setting, though weekend crowds may limit privacy at the famous ruins.
Positives:
- Inclusive Admission: One ticket covers all gardens, ruins zones, and the model exhibition.
- Romantic Photo Backdrops: Western-style ruins offer unique scenes for couple portraits.
Challenges:
- Large Park Area: The grounds span over 300 ha—prepare for up to 30 min of walking between highlights.
- Limited English Signs: Most historical plaques are only in Chinese; use an audio guide or app.
What is Yuanmingyuan Park?
- A sprawling 18th-century imperial garden complex in western Beijing that served as the Qing dynasty’s Old Summer Palace, encompassing ornate pavilions, halls, and artificial lakes
- A 350-hectare ensemble blending traditional Chinese rockeries and water features with mid-19th-century European-style palaces, exemplified by the Xiyang Lou ruins
- A designated cultural heritage site preserving the architectural remains and ruins resulting from the palace’s destruction during the Second Opium War of 1860
What is so special about Yuanmingyuan Park for couple trip?
- Explore European-style palace ruins as a couple for unique backdrops.
- Glide together on Fanghu Lake for a romantic boat ride.
- Visit four imperial gardens and a detailed model exhibition with one ticket.
- Capture seasonal highlights from lotus blooms to snow-dusted ruins.
- Save time with shuttle services and pre-booked audio guides.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: A 2-3 hour visit covers the main gardens, ruins, and a boat ride at a relaxed pace.
Couple-Friendly Activities in Yuanmingyuan Park
Stroll Western-Style Palace Ruins:
Walk among broken columns and fountains of Xiyang Lou.
Tip: Head here first for softer morning light and fewer visitors.
Boat Ride on Fanghu Lake:
Take a sunset cruise from Qichun Gate to Fanghu Shengjing.
Tip: Buy tickets at the dock by the Management Office to secure a seat.
Explore Changchun and Qichun Gardens:
Visit rockeries, pavilions and water features in two imperial gardens.
Tip: Follow the free lotus-viewing app route in summer to find hidden ponds.
Visit Scale-Model Exhibition:
See detailed miniatures of Qing imperial tombs and palaces.
Tip: Combine this indoor stop on hotter days or sudden rain.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Yuanmingyuan Park
- Arrive Early: Start at the East Gate to catch soft light and avoid midday crowds.
- Use Battery-Car Shuttle: Ride between Changchun and Qichun Gardens to save time and energy.
Reviews of Yuanmingyuan Park
Hector Lau
Old Summer Palace is now just a bunch of ruins and a grim reminder to what happened in the past. The horse bronze head is the only one that is currently displayed here.
tiffany
Old Summer Palace. Historical park featuring old ruins and shattered monuments from what was once a formidable imperial dynasty - rich in architecture and beautiful gardens.
W Tate
The older summer palace is so huge that we only managed to completed a small area in order to complete the rest of our itinerary for the day. The ruins are magnificent although much has crumpled to ground.
R N
Big park! Lots of historical ruins. Would be great if you have a guide to explain its significance. Not easy to get around with kids as it’s impossible to cover everything in a day. To save your legs, you could take a boat ride. There was quite a queue for the boat ride, however I came on a weekend so that is to be expected. If you only have limited time and have to choose between this and summer ...
Nhi Sorge
This park is especially beautiful in autumn. It’s very close to the subway. But normally in autumn when is the leaves turn yellow it will be full of people. So if you want to go here and take beautiful pictures you should go before 8 o’clock in the morning. Normally in high season, they would ask you to book ticket one day before you go. It’s always check this problem before you decide to visit h...
When is the best time to visit Yuanmingyuan Park (Beijing, China)?
April: Cherry blossoms near Qichun Gate peak in early spring. June–August: Lotus blooms around Jianbi Pavilion; carry sun protection. September–October: Maple leaves turn red in the Garden of Perfect Brightness. Winter: Snow blankets the ruins for quiet photo ops; boat services may pause.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Park entry ticket (2 adults) | CNY 50 |
| One-way boat ride for two | CNY 70 |
| Pedal boat rental (1 hour) | CNY 60 |
| English audio guide | CNY 40 |
| Total Estimated | CNY 220 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of Yuanmingyuan Park
Address: 275X+67P圆明园 Haidian District, China, 100084
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About Yuanmingyuan Park
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+86 10 6262 8501Explore Popular Things to Do
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