Her long-awaited day in ancient times finally came true!

Trip Moment for Summer Palace shared by AUTUMN BUCHANAN

Posted 1 day ago, helping 12 travelers with their trips

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Real-time travel info for Summer Palace on 2026.4.13

Today's weather: 9~18℃

Today's opening status: Closed Today | Tomorrow Open: 06:00–20:00 (admission ends at 19:00)

4.7/5 | 49558 reviews | From EUR11 | 13876 travelers interested

I checked into the courtyard of the Summer Palace Hotel, watching my little friend, dressed in ancient costume, skip and hop through the corridors. Her eyes sparkled with joy, she clearly considered herself the little master of this garden, her happiness impossible to hide. The entire courtyard was constructed with dougong brackets and mortise and tenon joints, exuding the spirit of ancient architecture. It possessed the elegant ritualistic feel of a traditional Chinese courtyard, yet lacked the oppressive atmosphere of a royal palace. The rooms were filled with solid wood furniture imitating Ming and Qing dynasty styles, the air filled with a light, pleasant woody scent; every step revealed a scene of ancient charm. My little one earnestly asked what the emperor did, and after patiently explaining for a long time, she still seemed to only partially understand. But this didn't diminish her princess complex at all. Sitting quietly by the lake, sipping tea and lost in thought, she earnestly remarked: "There weren't so many delicious things to eat in ancient times!" It was both adorable and funny. At dusk, we went to the Jade Dew Chinese Restaurant for dinner, a refined Huaiyang cuisine, fresh and delicious. Mustard-flavored bok choy, loquat and apple stewed with pork broth, red mushroom and abalone, three-cup Qingyuan chicken, fish maw with three delicacies, spring bamboo shoots and seasonal vegetables, and finally, a fragrant and delicious fish roe and chive fried rice—the kids were especially satisfied. After dinner, we hid in a private cinema to watch Nezha with my friend for the eleventh time. She watched with great interest, popcorn in hand, while I was still deeply moved by the story. ▫️Day 2 We started the day with breakfast at the Imperial Palace, leisurely whiling away the morning hours. Retro photos, poetic artworks, and stunning lake views were all in sight. Sipping coffee and reading slowly, the days seemed to slow down. The hotel specially crafted three poetic drinks: Imperial Lake Peach Berry, Imperial Garden Rouge Dew, and Summer Palace Spring Breeze. The elegant names perfectly complemented the ambiance. The most amazing thing was the private passageway from the Summer Palace Hotel directly to the Summer Palace. Within a short step, the tranquility of the courtyard transitions into the vibrant atmosphere of the park, a healing contrast. Entering the park at six in the morning, avoiding the crowds and long queues, I enjoyed the empty Kunming Lake all to myself. Morning mist, lake shimmering, ancient corridors—a complete serene and poetic experience. Happy fifth birthday, my darling. May the long road of life ahead always be like this journey through the ancient charm of the Summer Palace, with a pure heart, cherished by gentle love, seeing only elegance, and yearning for peace.