The Summer Palace in spring is picturesque.

You must visit Beijing to see the Empress Dowager Cixi's back garden and experience the beauty of the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, a royal garden steeped in history, boasts countless scenic spots and stories. It is not only a treasure of ancient Chinese garden art but also a shining pearl of world cultural heritage. 📍Address: 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing 🎫Tickets: Off-season (November 1 - March 31): CNY 20/person; Peak season (April 1 - October 31): CNY 30/person. Tickets can be purchased 7 days in advance on the Summer Palace official WeChat account. You can enter the park by swiping your ID card or buy tickets on-site. Combined Ticket: Off-season CNY 50/person, Peak season CNY 60/person (including admission and several main attractions within the park). Separate tickets are required for gardens within the park: Foxiang Ge (Tower of Buddhist Incense) CNY 10/person, Dehe Garden CNY 5/person, Summer Palace Museum CNY 20/person, Suzhou Street CNY 10/person. 🕙Opening Hours: Peak season: Opens at 6:00, last entry at 19:00, closes at 20:00 Off-season: Opens at 6:30, last entry at 18:00, closes at 19:00 Opening hours vary for different attractions and courtyards. For example, Foxiang Ge and Dehe Garden are open from 8:00 to 18:00 during peak season (last entry at 17:30) and from 8:30 to 17:00 during off-season (last entry at 16:30). Note that some attractions are closed on Mondays (except for public holidays). 🚇Transportation: Subway Line 4, Exit D, Beigongmen Station. Walk 5 minutes to Beigongmen, 13 minutes to North Ruyi Gate. Transfer to a bus from Line 4 Xiyuan Station to reach Xinjian Gongmen. 🗺️Tour Routes: Route 1 (approx. 3 hours, classic route): Enter through Beigongmen > Suzhou Street > Four Continents > Foxiang Ge > Paiyun Dian (Hall of Dispelling Clouds) > Long Corridor > Stone Boat > Boat to Nanhu Island > Seventeen-Arch Bridge > Exit through Xinjian Gongmen. Route 2 (approx. 2 hours, easy route): Enter through North Ruyi Gate > Picture Within a Picture > Foxiang Ge > Boat tour > Seventeen-Arch Bridge > Exit through Xinjian Gongmen. This route avoids crowds and has fewer steps. 📸Photo Spots: Seventeen-Arch Bridge: Stunning at sunset with golden light on the bridge. West Causeway: Black swans and shimmering lake water make for great photos. Picture Within a Picture: Ancient architecture overlooking Kunming Lake, perfect for photos. Foxiang Ge: The iconic building of the Summer Palace, magnificent and impressive. Xiequ Garden (Garden of Harmonious Interest): Full of the charm of a southern Chinese water town, ideal for photos in Hanfu. 🍔Food: There are snack kiosks in the park selling sausages, corn on the cob, ice cream, etc. There are also restaurants like Tingliguan, where you can taste imperial cuisine at a slightly higher price. ❗Important Notes: Avoid visiting on Mondays as not all attractions are open. The Summer Palace is large, so plan your route in advance. You can bring your own food and water. Visitors with babies should be aware that some areas have many steps, making strollers inconvenient. Enter the park early during peak season to avoid crowds and get better photos. This also ensures you have enough time to enjoy everything. Boat tours are available from mid-to-late March to mid-November. Check operating hours and prices. 💕The Summer Palace is beautiful in all seasons: flowers in spring, boating in summer, red leaves in autumn, and snow scenes in winter. Whenever you come, you'll find unique beauty. Save this guide and come experience its charm!