Travel BeiJing With Me: The Old Summer Palace

The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan in Chinese) is not very faraway from my office.
Since 1860 when it was destroyed by the British and French forces , The Old Summer Palace was a scar in Chinese people’s heart.

The Old Summer Palace is situated between Qinghua University and the New Summer Palace ( Yi He Yuan in Chinese). It was named by the Qing Dynasty Emperor KangXi in 1709, which means Garden of Perfect Brightness.

In its heyday, The Old Summer Palace was a treasure house of Chinese art and literature. It were packed with antiques, jade articles, paintings, books, jewelry, famous porcelain and handcrafts from all over the world. It also had a library with the largest book amount in world history.

Unfortunately, After plundering innumerable treasures, it was burned by the British and French forces in 1860. The ruin of The Old Summer Palace became a symbol from then on.

But I always wonder why I have to pay more if I want see the ruin of The Old Summer Palace. It reminds China of its shameful 19th century history. why not let people visit easily?

The Old Summer Palace Travel Guide:

Address:
No.28 West Road, Qinghua, BeiJing

Ticket:
Admission is 10 Yuan, but between the 1st and the 5th of every month you can buy a monthly season ticket for only 15 Yuan (you need a passport photo for the first one)
If you want see the ruins, You should pay extra 15 yuan.

Opening Hours:
07:00 to 17:30 (winter) 07:00 to 19:00 (summer)

Website:
The Old Summer Palace (Chinese)

How to get there:
Take Bus No.331, 333, 810, 814 or Special Bus No.6 and get off at The Old Summer Palace Station.

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Rate this:

3.5 (1 person)

Tags: BeiJing, China Travel, The Old Summer Palace

10 Comments Already

Joy (Who am I?) Said,

July 24th, 2008 @9:53 am

This is lovely photo.

3.4

[Reply]

collinsom (Who am I?) Said,

July 24th, 2008 @3:54 pm

i love the scenic view!thanks for sharing the photo

Tiny (Who am I?) Said,

July 24th, 2008 @6:20 pm

Thank your comment so much, Welcome to BeiJing my friend.:)

2.5

Writing Nag (Who am I?) Said,

July 24th, 2008 @9:57 pm

That looks so beautiful and peaceful sad that the beauty was plundered and burned.

3.7 (1 person)

no image Tiny (Who am I?) reply on July 25th, 2008 12:56 am:

Yes, Nag.
Maybe they will feel sorry about this forever.

winona (Who am I?) Said,

July 25th, 2008 @9:17 am

wow, that was amazing. u know what ? I think there are so many exotic places can be found in this land .
hmm……….hearing about beijing, my mind suddenly goes to the beijing olympic ^^

no image iWalk (Who am I?) reply on July 25th, 2008 10:29 am:

But we have never been to your homeland, dear winona.
That’s one of my destination.:)

RaysAdventures (Who am I?) Said,

July 26th, 2008 @7:20 am

I was able to visit the Summer Palace in ‘96 and your photo reminded me how beautiful the gardens were; definitely a must see when visiting Beijing.

no image iWalk (Who am I?) reply on July 26th, 2008 9:33 am:

Incontestably, You travel a lot, Ray!

3.2

nIcHoLaS (Who am I?) Said,

August 19th, 2008 @10:47 pm

Thanks for sharing the info and pics!! I’m planning to visit Beijing in this year end.. found this site provide very useful travel guide about Beijing http://www.a4trip.com/china/beijing