Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)

圆明园遗址公园（西洋楼遗址）

Burnt-out 1860 ruins along a lakeside walk

Hours

Apr–Oct gate 6:00am–9pm (last entry 7pm); from 1 Nov 6:30am–7:30pm (last entry 5:30pm)

Address

28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian

Stone columns and broken arches stand scattered over open lawns, what is left of the European-style palace quarter the Qing court built and Anglo-French troops looted and burned in 1860. Paths wind past lakes and lotus beds, so it is more a long walk than a quick look at the ruins. The Yuanmingyuan Museum, opened in 2023, helps you picture what vanished. In summer the park stays open until 9pm and the evening stroll is popular.