What's the difference between the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace?

They are two separate sites about a 15-minute walk apart, ticketed separately. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is the restored, intact imperial garden with the famous lake and Long Corridor. The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is the ruined one, burned by Anglo-French troops in 1860 and preserved as a memorial. Don't book one expecting the other.

Which ticket do I need to see the famous stone ruins?

Buy the combined ticket (around 25 RMB) — it includes the Western Mansions area where the European-style stone columns and the Dashuifa fountains stand. The park-only ticket (about 10 RMB) does not cover that section, which is the part most visitors come specifically to photograph.

How long does it take, and what's worth seeing if I'm short on time?

The park is huge — a full visit can take a half-day. If time is tight, head straight to the Western Mansions ruins (about 1.5 hours), the most photographed section. Reach the park via Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station; from the gate it's still a fair walk to the stone ruins at the far side.

Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Ruins of the Qing dynasty 'Garden of Perfect Brightness' — destroyed by Anglo-French troops in 1860, preserved as a memorial.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 圆明园 (Yuán Míng Yuán)
Opening hours: 7 AM – 7 PM
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit: Spring or autumn mornings
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: 28 Qinghua West Rd, Haidian District, Beijing · 海淀区清华西路28号

See Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)tickets & tours

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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.

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

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Enter via the Eastern (Changchun) gate, not the main south gate — it's far closer to the Western Mansions stone ruins.
▸Spring and autumn are the reasons to come; the lakes and native gardens carry the visit when blossoms or leaves turn.
▸The whole park is enormous and walking-heavy; rent a bike or take the internal shuttle to save your legs for the ruins.
▸Morning light hits the Dashuifa columns best and beats the tour groups that build up by midday.
▸Read up on the 1860 sacking before you go — without context the broken stones read as just a quiet field of rubble.
▸Cash only at the gates and inside, with no on-site Wi-Fi, so download maps and bring RMB before arriving.
▸Combine it with the nearby Summer Palace on the same day; they're a short walk apart and make one Line 4 outing.

Photos

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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Frequently asked questions about Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)

What's the difference between the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace?: They are two separate sites about a 15-minute walk apart, ticketed separately. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is the restored, intact imperial garden with the famous lake and Long Corridor. The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is the ruined one, burned by Anglo-French troops in 1860 and preserved as a memorial. Don't book one expecting the other.
Which ticket do I need to see the famous stone ruins?: Buy the combined ticket (around 25 RMB) — it includes the Western Mansions area where the European-style stone columns and the Dashuifa fountains stand. The park-only ticket (about 10 RMB) does not cover that section, which is the part most visitors come specifically to photograph.
How long does it take, and what's worth seeing if I'm short on time?: The park is huge — a full visit can take a half-day. If time is tight, head straight to the Western Mansions ruins (about 1.5 hours), the most photographed section. Reach the park via Metro Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station; from the gate it's still a fair walk to the stone ruins at the far side.