Beijing is home to many royal gardens of the Ming and Qing dynasties. For visitors who would like to admire the imperial gardens in traditional Chinese style, the following are ideal options.
▶ Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in existence in China. In particular, it appears more lively and attractive under the adornment of blooming lotuses. Every corner of the Kunming Lake is the ideal place to take picture.
Lotuses of Kunming Lake can be traced back to the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. This lake is famous for the scene of “pink lotuses embellish summer rain” since the ancient times, which was praised as one of “Ten Scenes of West Lake in Beijing (Kunming Lake was called West Lake at that time by citizens)”. The Outer Lake in the west of Western Causeway boasts the most flourishing flowers among three water areas of this lake where lotuses are planted. Taking a stroll along the causeway, you will see a boundless stretch of green wave undulating and numerous pink lotus flowers swaying in the breeze, representing an exuberant picture. Walking from the west bank of Kunming Lake to the West Causeway in the largest royal garden, you are entering the world of lotus where a tint of green is waving above the blue water. Kunming Lake is a must-go attraction for lotus lovers in this season.
Optimum scenic areas to appreciate lotus flowers: Farming and Weaving Picture (Gengzhi Tu) Scenic Area, Hall of Ample Good View (Yanshang Zhai), scenic areas in the west of West Causeway, Garden of Harmonious Pleasures (Xiequ Yuan) and so on.
Recommended route: North Ruyi Gate - Farming and Weaving Picture (Gengzhi Tu) Scenic Area - Binfeng Bridge / Jade Belt Bridge (Yudai Bridge) - south of Six Bridges.
Address: No.19 Xinjiangongmen Road 新建宫门路19号
▶ Old Summer Palace
Since June 18, the lotus pond of over 400 species has ushered in the blooming period, covering an area of more than 1,000mu (about 66.67ha).
Here, you can meander idly through the footpath interspersed with colorful flowers and take some pictures to perpetuate the wonderful moment; or take a small boat to place yourself in the picturesque scenery, embarking on a special journey in the gentle breeze.
The 2,000mu (about 133.34ha) water area in the park is planted with luxuriant lotuses which cover an area of more than 100,000m2. This makes the Old Summer Palace become an attraction boasting the largest lotus pond in Beijing and welcome a number of tourists in each summer.
Therefore, it is deemed as a must-visit place in summer for lotus lovers. Although the ruins in the park are redolent of the miserable past, magnificent royal garden and graceful lotus flowers with honest and upright characters still attract an increasing number of tourists. The Lotus Festival kicks off in this park around this season, which greets a mass of visitors. Traditionally, this event lasts from June to August, which has been recognized as one of grand lotus carnivals with the largest scale and most varieties in China. As for the royal garden thriving on water, the lotus blooming in the water is the soul of Old Summer Palace in summer times. In every summer, the pond is full of lotus flowers in blossom with gentle breeze representing a picturesque scenery that is enchanting and refreshing.
Recommended land route to appreciate lotus flowers: South Gate - small courtyard - small garden - Jianbi Pavilion - Hanqiu (Embracing Autumn) Study - junction of three gardens - Fenghe Tower - Haiyue Kaijin – Zhuan Xiang Fan - Fahui Temple - Heyday Panorama Model - East Gate (Dongmen).
Recommended water route: Haiyue Kaijin Wharf - Shapan (Sand Table) Wharf
Here, you can row a sculling ship and ramble among lotus flowers swaying in the breeze, embracing coolness and leisure and savor of the wonderful realm.
Address: No. 28 Qinghua West Road 清华西路28号
▶ Beihai Park
In ancient times, Beihai Park was an imperial garden exclusively for the royal family to appreciate lotus, where a wealth of famous lotus poems were created. In this park, the scene "white pagoda reflecting in the full-blown lotus blossoms" serves as the best vivid natural landscape painting.
Appreciating lotus flowers in Beihai Park shall be the most frequently mentioned matter among Beijingers in midsummer. With serene environment and royal style, this park surely brings you visual and psychological enjoyment. As early as the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Beihai Park, as an imperial garden, was planted with lotus for the royal family to enjoy sightseeing. Hence, here you can savor the sharp sense of integrity and graceful bearing peculiar to lotus.
The planting of lotus in this attraction can be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty. Hence, the lotus flowers appreciation in summer has been recognized as an iconic event for this park until now. For 17 years in succession, Lotus Flowers Exhibition is traditionally held in sweltering summer. To this end, Beihai Park is an ideal destination for tourists to enjoy cool and cozy summer.
Address: No. 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District 西城区文津街1号
