“The Imperial Garden Dream — Summer Palace”

#chinatravel
After visiting the Forbidden City, you should arrange it like this!

From the Forbidden City to White Dagoba: A Scenic Beijing Walk
After exiting the Forbidden City’s Shenwu Gate (North Gate):
1. Head west to the "Iconic Corner Tower View"
- Walk just 50 meters west along the moat to discover Beijing’s most photographed angle of the Forbidden City Corner Towers
- Why stop here:
- This spot perfectly showcases the harmonious symmetry of Ming dynasty architecture, with the tower’s golden roof and crimson walls mirrored in the moat.

Option 1: Climb Jingshan Park for the Ultimate Vista
Why go:Directly opposite Shenwu Gate, Jingshan Park’s 5-minute uphill walk leads to Wanchun Pavilion (万春亭).
- The view from the top:
- 360° panoramas of the Forbidden City’s golden roofs + modern Beijing’s skyline.
- Historically significant: This was where the last Ming emperor ended his reign.
- Practical info:
- Open 6:00-21:00 (summer); ¥2 entry.
- Avoid weekends* if possible – weekdays offer quieter moments.

🏞️ Option 2: Stroll to Beihai Park’s Imperial Gardens
- From Shenwu Gate: Walk 15 minutes northwest. Enter through the south gate.
- Why you’ll love it:
- A UNESCO site with 1,000+ years of history – once the playground of emperors.
- Summer highlights:
- Rent a paddle boat beneath the White Dagoba (¥160/hr).
- Escape heat under ancient cypress trees(up to 800 years old!).
- Sip chilled plum juice at lakeside kiosks.
- Don’t miss:The glazed-tile Nine-Dragon Wall– more intricate than the Forbidden City’s version!

☕ Afternoon: White Dagoba Temple & Café Hopping
From Beihai’s North Gate → White Dagoba Temple (妙应寺白塔):
- By foot:20-min scenic walk through traditional hutongs (alleyways).
- By bus: Take Bus 101/103 (¥2, 10 mins) from "Beihai North Gate" stop.

Explore the Temple:
- Must-know facts:
- This 51m Tibetan stupa(built 1279!) is older than Beijing’s city walls.
- Designed by a Nepali architect – note the unique Himalayan-Chinese fusion style..

Cafés with White Dagoba Views:
The surrounding hutongs hide gems where history meets hipster culture:
- Tǎr Café :Rooftop seats face the stupa. Try their signature White Dagoba Cloud Cake
- Lian Coffee :Floor-to-ceiling windows + jasmine cold brew. Opens until 10 PM for night-lit tower views.
💡 Local insight:These cafés transformed the area from a tourist checkpoint into a creative hub – chat with baristas about hutong life!

🌟 Why This Route Works
- Time-efficient:All sites within 3 km – walkable or short bike/bus hops.
- Culture layered:Imperial (Forbidden City/Beihai) → spiritual (White Dagoba) → modern (cafés).
- Foreigner-friendly:Clear English signs, café menus, and mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat) accepted everywhere.

> This walk reveals Beijing’s soul – where emperors, monks, and coffee lovers coexist. Wear breathable clothes in summer, and let curiosity guide you!"✨