Old Summer Palace(Yuanmingyuan)

I've been to Beijing three times and finally made it to Yuanmingyuan. It's a place that stays with you. The silence among the broken columns tells a story no book can capture. I went in late autumn when the ginkgo trees were golden – incredible color against the grey stone. There are fewer tourists here than at the Forbidden City, so you can actually breathe and reflect. If you love photography, bring a wide-angle lens for the famous 'dashuifa' ruins. This is a must-see, not for entertainment, but for understanding China's past. I'll definitely come back in spring.

Took my two kids here on a Sunday. The place is enormous – we only covered half of it before they got tired. They loved the little paddle boats on the lake (30 yuan for 30 minutes). The ruins are educational but honestly not very exciting for young children. Lots of walking on uneven paths, so bring a stroller with good wheels. There's a small snack area near the south gate selling ice cream and drinks – prices were reasonable. Overall a decent family outing, but I'd recommend coming on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Came for the iconic ruins but left a bit underwhelmed. Yes, the grand Western-style palace remains are photogenic at golden hour, but the rest of the site feels neglected. Many fountains are dry, the grass is patchy, and there’s construction fencing around several areas. The audio guide was barely audible through the cheap earbuds. I get that it's a historical site about destruction, but for 30 yuan I expected better maintenance. Might be worth it if you have a strong interest in Qing dynasty history, otherwise skip and visit the Summer Palace instead.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much after reading some negative reviews, but the Old Summer Palace surprised me. It's more like a massive park with scattered historical remains. The lotus pond in summer is gorgeous – pink flowers everywhere and the frogs croaking. Lots of locals doing tai chi in the morning. I rented a bike inside because walking the entire grounds would take hours. My only complaint: the signposts are confusing and some paths are closed without notice. Still, a solid 4-star experience for the price (30 yuan).

Walking through the ruins of the Old Summer Palace was a profoundly moving experience. You can almost feel the weight of history in the air, especially standing by the scattered marble arches and the famous Western-style ruins. The lake is peaceful, and the willow trees create a nice contrast with the broken stones. I spent a whole afternoon here, just sitting and imagining what it must have looked like before 1860. Absolutely worth a visit if you're into Chinese history. Bring water – the place is huge and there isn't much shade near the northern path.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited! The contrast between the broken marble columns and the blue sky is hauntingly gorgeous. I loved the museum inside that shows the original paintings — it really brings the history to life. Spent the whole afternoon there and still didn’t see everything. Highly recommend hiring a guide for the full story.

Honestly, I was expecting more. The ticketing was a mess — long lines and the QR codes didn’t work. A lot of the site is just empty fields or closed-off areas. The famous ‘ocean view’ area is small and crowded with selfie sticks. For the entrance fee, I’d rather go to the Summer Palace next time. Disappointing.

Loved the peaceful vibe here. I went early in the morning on a weekday and had huge sections almost to myself. The Western-style ruins are really unique and photogenic. The park is huge — I rented a bike and it was perfect. Only complaint: the food inside is overpriced and mediocre. Bring your own snacks.

Not bad for a historical site, but I felt a bit underwhelmed. The reconstructed buildings are okay, but the original ruins are mostly just piles of stones with no real explanation. There’s a lot of walking with not much shade, and the signs are mostly in Chinese. If you’re really into history it’s worth a look, but don’t expect to be amazed.

Absolutely breathtaking! The scale of the ruins is humbling — you can still feel the grandeur even centuries later. I spent hours just walking through the gardens and imagining what it must have looked like. The lotus ponds in summer are stunning. A must-see if you're in Beijing, just bring comfortable shoes and lots of water.