Summer Palace

Walked the Long Corridor and found a new mythology painting every 5 meters. 728 m, 14,000 scenes. Unreal craftsmanship.

Rented an electric boat for 60 RMB/hour on Kunming Lake. Took us across to Nanhu Island — the view back to Longevity Hill is stunning.

The Marble Boat is a great Cixi story — built with navy modernization funds. The irony hits hard.

Huge complex — 290 hectares. Allow a full day. Use the West Causeway to escape the main crowds.

西堤是私藏路线，几乎没人走。从西堤回望佛香阁，景色完爆十七孔桥那边。

Climbed Longevity Hill — sweaty but the view of Kunming Lake from the Tower of Buddhist Incense is the postcard shot.

Better than the Forbidden City for nature lovers. The lake makes 3/4 of the park. Bring a hat — limited shade.

Filmed at the Empress's quarters — the rooms are still preserved as Cixi left them. Spent 45 min just on this section.

冬天结冰后湖面变滑冰场，便民票免费。颐和园四季都美，但雪后初晴是绝配。

Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen — 5 minutes to the north gate. Way easier than driving.

Cixi's last imperial garden — and the most ostentatious. Worth understanding the history to appreciate what you're seeing.

Took 3 hours and didn't see Suzhou Street — saving it for next visit. Pace yourself or stay longer.

The 17-Arch Bridge at golden hour — every photographer in Beijing knows. Get there 30 min before sunset for the best light.

Some of the buildings are roped off — disappointing. But the park alone is worth the visit. Free with park-only ticket.

建议早上8点开门进，赶在团队游客之前。万寿山上的佛香阁人少的时候才能仔细看雕梁。

Suzhou Street recreates a Jiangnan canal — built so Cixi could 'visit' the south without leaving Beijing. Surreal in the best way.

The Long Corridor connecting the Empress's quarters to the Marble Boat — 728 m of painted ceiling. Slowest walk of your life. In a good way.

Rented a bike outside the park and rode the perimeter. Park itself doesn't allow bikes inside but the surrounding lake roads are great.

Visited in April — magnolias and willows just blooming. Even locals say this is the prettiest time.

西太后修园子的故事比建筑更精彩。先读点慈禧的历史再来，看到的细节完全不一样。