How do I get to the Old Summer Palace?

The ruins of the Old Summer Palace are still open to the public, an important tourist attraction in the Haidian District of Beijing—the Old Summer Palace Park. Visitors can get there by taking Line 4 of the Beijing subway and getting off at the Yuanmingyuan Station.

Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace), once a "Garden of Perfection and Light" in its heyday, has now become a witness of history, quietly narrating its past glory and vicissitudes. This royal garden, known as the "Versailles of the East," not only surpassed the renovation by Empress Dowager Cixi in the 19th century with its profound beauty, but also integrated Chinese and Western architectural styles, becoming a treasure of Chinese garden art.

Historical Review

At the end of the Second Opium War in 1860, the Old Summer Palace suffered a devastating blow from the British and was reduced to ashes. This disaster was not only a pain in Chinese history but also a loss to world cultural heritage. Lord Elgin, the British Commissioner in China, ordered the destruction of the Old Summer Palace in response to the torture and killing of British envoys during negotiations. About 3,500 soldiers systematically set fire to the palaces, and the fire lasted for three days and three nights, with countless precious cultural relics plundered.

How to Get to the Old Summer Palace?

Today, the ruins of the Old Summer Palace have become a park for people to remember history and experience those vicissitudes. So, how do you get to this witness of history?

Transportation Guide

The Old Summer Palace is located on Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, with convenient transportation. Visitors can choose to take the subway, bus, or drive.

• Subway: Take Line 4 of the subway and get off at Yuanmingyuan Station. There is a certain distance from the subway station to the park entrance, so it is recommended to plan your trip in advance.
• Bus: Multiple bus lines can reach the Old Summer Palace, such as 331, 432, 438, 450, 508, 563, 579, 594, 601, 681, and Special Line 19. Please select the appropriate bus line based on your departure point.
• Self-drive: There are multiple parking lots around the Old Summer Palace, convenient for self-driving visitors to park. Please note to comply with traffic rules and ensure safe driving.

Travel Tips

The area of the Old Summer Palace is quite large, so visitors should be prepared to walk during the visit. Especially since the ruins are far from the subway station and park entrance, it is recommended to plan your trip in advance. During the visit, you can savor the marble ruins of the Palace Architectural Scenic Area (Xiyanglou Scenic Area) and feel the former glory and grandeur of this royal garden. In addition, the Daquan Ruins and the Haiyantang Reservoir Ruins are also must-see attractions.

In conclusion, the Old Summer Palace is a garden full of historical charm and cultural heritage, worthy of a visit by everyone who loves history and culture. During your journey to the Old Summer Palace, please pay attention to traffic safety and itinerary planning to ensure a pleasant visit.

Q1: What is the historical background of the Old Summer Palace?

A1: The Old Summer Palace, known as the "Versailles of the East," was once the main palace and place for handling state affairs for Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and his successors. This 350-hectare garden integrated Chinese and Western architectural styles, boasting hundreds of buildings in Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian styles. However, at the end of the Second Opium War in 1860, the Old Summer Palace suffered devastating damage and was reduced to ashes by the British.

Q2: When was the Old Summer Palace destroyed?

A2: The Old Summer Palace was destroyed by the British at the end of the Second Opium War in 1860. Lord Elgin, the British Commissioner in China, ordered the destruction of the Old Summer Palace in response to the torture and killing of British envoys during negotiations. About 3,500 soldiers systematically set fire to the palaces, and the fire lasted for three days and three nights.

Q3: How do I get to the Old Summer Palace?

A3: You can choose to take the subway, bus, or drive to the Old Summer Palace. Take Line 4 of the subway and get off at Yuanmingyuan Station. Multiple bus lines can also reach the Old Summer Palace, such as 331, 432, etc. For self-driving visitors, please note to comply with traffic rules and ensure safe driving.