Yuanmingyuan was the Qing emperors' grandest imperial garden — a 350-hectare complex of pavilions, lakes, and European-style fountains built between 1707 and 1860. In October 1860 during the Second Opium War, Anglo-French troops looted and burned the palace over three days; the ruins were left as found and today serve as a national patriotic memorial. The most photographed section is the Western Mansions area (西洋楼) where the European-style stone columns of the Hai Yan Tang and the Dashuifa fountains still stand in elegant collapse. The park is enormous — most visitors do the Western Mansions section in 1.5 hours, but the surrounding lakes, native gardens, and museum can absorb a full half-day. Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are best. Buy the combined ticket (25 RMB) to access the Western Mansions area; the rest is 10 RMB. Different from and a 15-minute walk away from the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). Reach via Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station.
Address
28 Qinghua West Rd, Haidian District, Beijing
海淀区清华西路28号
Highlights
- Western Mansions Ruins (西洋楼遗址)European-style stone columns and Dashuifa fountains — the photo spot
- Hai Yan Tang (海晏堂)Once held the 12 bronze zodiac fountain heads, several still missing today
- Patriotic Memorial ContextSite of 1860 Anglo-French sacking; the ruins are deliberately preserved
- Combined Ticket 25 RMB (联票)Includes Western Mansions; park-only ticket 10 RMB
- Different from Summer PalaceDon't confuse with Yiheyuan — they're 15 min apart and ticketed separately
For foreign visitors
- English service: partial english
- Cards accepted: cash_only
- Booking / entry: not needed
- Best time: Spring or autumn mornings
- Wi-Fi: none
- Transit access: metro direct
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What travelers say (5 reviews)
Eleanor F.·TripAdvisor·5/5
The marble ruins of the Western Palaces are haunting. Sacked by British and French forces in 1860. Patriotism education site for Chinese students.
2026-04-14
Ryan L.·Google Maps·4/5
Massive park (350 hectares). Mostly lakes and gardens — the ruins are concentrated in the northeast corner.
2026-02-09
圆明园游客·Xiaohongshu·4/5
西洋楼遗址区是重点,其他地方是公园。秋天荷花残败时去最有沧桑感。
2026-03-19
James M.·TripAdvisor·4/5
Adjacent to Summer Palace — combine both in one day. Different ticket. Yuanmingyuan is much sadder but more historically affecting.
2026-01-31
HistoryGeek·YouTube·5/5
The 12 bronze zodiac heads stolen here are still being recovered by China. The hub of WWII-era cultural diplomacy.
2026-04-08
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