Farewell to spring and welcome summer. What changes are there in Beijing? Plan a summer trip, whether it's boating, viewing flower, or meeting small animals. There's always something suitable for you!

Boating on the Lake

The Summer Palace

Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Boating on the lake, people can look at the Yufeng Pagoda standing on the green mountain in the west; To the north, you can see the Buddhist Incense Pavilion, which stands among the green cypresses. The pavilions, temples, bridge and island are all reflected in the water, which is poetic and intoxicating.

This year, the cruise of Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace has fully applied "5G technology" to open the era of smart cruise ships. "Online queuing" provides convenience for tourists to take cruise ships. Tourists can scan the reservation code at the pier to enter the reservation interface, follow the prompts and steps, and complete the reservation in one or two minutes. After making an appointment, the system will display queue information. If there are many people in line, visitors can visit the park first, and wait while strolling.

Seniors who do not use smartphones do not have to worry. Cash service counters are still available at ticket offices at each terminal for the convenience of visitors of all ages to use the cruise system.

The sparkling lake, the winding embankment, the scattered islands, and the various buildings hidden in the lakeside scenery make up the stunning scenery of the Summer Palace with water as the main body. The warm breeze and clear weather make the view of the Summer Palace from the center of the lake even more unique. This summer, come to boat on the Kunming Lake to have a special experience.

Address: No. 19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Zizhuyuan Park  

Zizhuyuan Park is located on the West Third Ring Road. The famous ancient river of Beijing Nanchang River crosses through the garden. According to records, Empress Dowager Cixi went to the Summer Palace to spend the summer. Coming out of the Xizhimen, she boarded the boat at Yihongtang pier outside Gaoliang Bridge, and passed through Zizhuyuan Park, Wanshou Temple, Maizhong Bridge along the Nanchang River to the Summer Palace. Therefore, the Nanchang River is also known as the "Cixi Waterway".

On April 1, the "Royal River Cruise" water transport route from Beijing Zoo to Summer Palace was officially launched, with a total of three piers open on the whole line, namely Beijing Zoo Pier, Zizhuyuan Park Ziyuwan Pier and the terminus Summer Palace Nanruyi Pier. 

Due to the topography, there is a 1.5-meter water level difference from the zoo to Zizhuyuan, and there are sluices in the river. So to get to the Summer Palace, you need to transfer at the "Ziyuwan Pier".

Ziyuwan Pier is the only existing royal pier in Beijing, and the two-story building to the south was once the place where Empress Dowager Cixi changed ships, rested and drank tea. Tourists can also choose to take a boat at Ziyuwan Pier and end at Nanruyi Pier of the Summer Palace, and the whole tour takes about half an hour. Along the way, visitors will pass through Zizhuyuan Park, Wanshou Temple, Maizhong Bridge, Nanchanghe Park and other characteristic attractions in Beijing. They can not only enjoy the magnificent ancient buildings, but also enjoy the natural landscape of willows and flowers.

In addition, Chengxian Lake in Zizhuyuan Park has three piers in the east, south and north. Also, it boasts four-, six-, eight-person battery boats and four-person pedal boats, a total of 132, including flamingo boats and panda boats loved by children, as well as interesting classic car boats, warship boats, novel beach boats, pavilion boats, etc., which can meet the needs of a family boating on the lake.

Tips: In case of a wind warning above level 4 (inclusive) or sudden bad weather, the cruise ship will be suspended. Please pay attention to the operation of the cruise ship and plan the tour itinerary reasonably.

Address: No. 35, Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Appreciating the Bush Peony

Old Summer Palace  

Bush peony is one of the traditional famous flowers in China, which has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years in China. Tree peony and bush peony are "two excellent varieties of flowers", and since ancient times there is a folk saying: "tree peony is the king of flowers, bush peony is only second to the tree peony".

As the wind blows into the Old Summer Palace in early summer, under the greenery, the bush peony is blooming. They are red and pink, swaying in the wind, brilliant as clouds.

The Hanjingtang, Zaoyuan, Yuedi Yunju and other places in the Old Summer Palace are all good places to see bush peonies. Among them, Hanjingtang is planted with tens of thousands of tree peonies and bush peonies, including pink, white, multi-flowered peonies, miscellaneous peony strains, etc., so that tourists can feast their eyes.

Address: No. 28, Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Jingshan Park

The cultivation of tree peonies and bush peonies in Jingshan Park has a long history. According to historical records, as early as the Ming and Qing dynasties, tree peonies and bush peonies began to be cultivated in the Jingshan area. At present, Jingshan Park boasts a total of 20,000 peonies and 318 varieties, covering 8 kinds of flower colors and 10 major flower types, which have recently entered the best viewing period.  

Domestic traditional bush peony varieties are mainly distributed on the south side of the main road in front of the park, including the varieties as "Fenpan Cangzhu", "hushapan", "Huangjinlun" and "Xuanli Duocai"; Foreign varieties of bush peonies are mainly distributed on the south side of the east gate and both sides of the west gate of the park, including the variety "fairy" that won the gold medal of the American Peony Society in 1988. The flower shape of this variety is round, and the flowers are pink and will gradually degenerate into light pink. There is also the variety of "red magic" that won the gold medal of the American Peony Society in 1956. The flower flavor of this variety is fragrant, the flowers are straight up with many petals, and the flower diameter can reach up to 20 cm.

In early summer, Jingshan Park is full of birds and trees. Visitors can simply immerse themselves in the embrace of nature and enjoy the sun and flowers.

Address: No. 44, Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Seeing Cute Animals

Beijing Zoo

Recently, the Panda Hall of the Beijing Zoo has become very popular. The giant panda "Menglan", who is famous for "escaping from prison", lives here. "Menglan" is the third child of the giant panda "Mengmeng", and its personality is both cute and fierce, full of contrast. It is nicknamed "the third prince of Xizhimen" by netizens.   

In addition to the cute pandas, there is also a "cute" panda-themed café in Beijing Zoo. The café is full of panda models, the latte in the coffee is also a panda pattern, and even the cushion paper of the cup is a panda image. Creative coffee, freshly blended fruit drinks, classic milk tea, afternoon tea, and small desserts are all available, which can meet the multiple needs of different tourists.

In fact, as early as the establishment of the Beijing Zoo, it attracted many tourists to visit. There are botanical gardens, sericulture halls, museums, tea houses, Chinese restaurants, cafes, Western restaurants, photo studios, etc. It was not only the earliest zoo in China, but also a new Park in Beijing at that time. Therefore, the grand situation of numerous people visiting the zoo is not surprising.

Address: No. 137, Xizhimen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Nanhaizi Elk Park

Beijing Nanhaizi Elk Park, also known as Beijing Elk Ecological Experimental Center and Beijing Biodiversity Conservation Research Center (hereinafter referred to as Elk Park), covers an area of about 148 acres and is an outdoor ecological park.

Elk Park was once an ancient royal hunting garden, where elk were bred as exotic beasts. After its reconstruction, Elk Park did its best to maintain its original free-range state of wildlife.

Here, tourists can encounter peacocks walking at any time and see flocks of wild geese frolicking at the water's edge a stone's throw away; The elk, which was once endangered, also lives leisurely in the form of a family in the park.

From March to June every year, the elk and other animals in the park begin to breed. They desperately need a quiet environment. Therefore, the Beijing Elk Ecological Experimental Center calls on citizens who go to Elk Park and the surrounding Nanhaizi Park for leisure to protect the habitat of elk and visit the park in a civilized manner, so as to provide a quiet and comfortable breeding environment for wild animals such as elk and help maintain biodiversity and ecological balance in the park.

Address: No. 16, Nanhaizi Park, Huangyi Road, Daxing District, Beijing

Translator: BAO Minmin

Reviewer: LIU Yu