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Construction of the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) began around 1709 during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, built to imperial garden standards. It was largely completed around 1744 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, and included 40 scenic spots. The landscapes were replicas of scenes from the emperor's travels throughout China, earning the Yuanmingyuan the title of "Garden of Gardens." The emperor spent more time residing and conducting state affairs in the Yuanmingyuan than in the Forbidden City.

The Yuanmingyuan Garden consisted of three gardens: Yuanmingyuan, Changchun Garden, and Qichun Garden. These three areas were not separated by boundaries; anyone could enter with a ticket. Yuanmingyuan covered approximately 352 hectares, five times the size of the Forbidden City , roughly the size of Central Park in the United States, 1.7 times the size of Tokyo DisneySea and Land, and the size of 490 football fields. It is recommended to follow the official tour route (as shown in the image below), which allows you to see more, with the main area being the Western-style buildings ruins.

Near the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is the side gate of Tsinghua University, which is also a popular photo spot. The taxi driver dropped us off there, and we took some photos along the way before walking to the Old Summer Palace. Entry to Tsinghua University requires a reservation, and many people only come to take pictures.

We bought tickets at the Qichun Garden Palace Gate to enter the Yuanmingyuan. The Yuanmingyuan consisted of three imperial gardens: Yuanmingyuan, Qichun Garden, and Changchun Garden, hence it was also known as the "Three Gardens of Yuanmingyuan." The map did not specifically demarcate these three gardens; entering any one of them meant entering the Yuanmingyuan.

Upon entering the Yuanmingyuan Garden, the first attraction you'll see is the Jianbi Pavilion. This is a traditional Chinese pavilion built in the middle of a lake, connected by a bridge. It's surrounded by lush green leaves and vibrant flowers that can only be seen in spring, making for a lovely environment.

We followed the officially recommended route. Along the way, there were various lakes, large and small, and the spring sun shone comfortably. The willows swayed gracefully in the wind, their branches and leaves dancing in the breeze. Everything felt like stepping back into ancient China, creating a truly picturesque atmosphere.