Summer Palace Beijing｜4. Attend an Autumn Date at the Summer Palace, Watch the Vermilion Red Compete with Autumn Leaves in the Painting

When the Summer Palace meets late autumn, red walls and black tiles clash with golden yellows and oranges, with withered lotus reflecting the clear sky and pathways strewn with fallen petals. This is the tacit understanding between nature and ancient architecture, hiding the romance of autumn in every corner.
The autumn colors of the Summer Palace are splendid, with ancient buildings and autumn scenery complementing each other, making it an excellent place to enjoy the fall.

🚏Recommended Routes

• 1️⃣ Classic Autumn Viewing Route: Gengzhi Tu Scenic Area (enjoy Chinese-style flower paths and autumn water scenery) → Houxi River (stroll through the colorful leaf corridor) → Xiequ Garden (appreciate the autumn charm of ancient buildings).

• 2️⃣ Reed Flower Viewing Route: Xiuyi Bridge (experience the splendid reed flowers) → West Causeway (enjoy the lake’s autumn scenery) → East Causeway (view the entire park’s autumn landscape).

Must-Visit Attractions

• 1️⃣ Houxi River: Starting from Zhaoyuan Studio, the trees along the bank such as white ash, hackberry, and Acer buergerianum gradually change colors, creating a colorful scene, including the “Sacred Tree” and the “Internet-famous Bridge.”
• 2️⃣ Xiequ Garden: The large elm trees in the garden turn from orange-yellow to reddish-brown in autumn, complementing the pavilions and towers, full of poetic charm.
• 3️⃣ West Causeway and Gengzhi Tu Scenic Area: You can see the autumn scenes of withered lotus and reed flowers, which are especially charming under the sunset glow.
• 4️⃣ Painting Tour: The tiered pavilions built against the mountain are excellent spots for sightseeing and photography, where vermilion corridor pillars beautifully contrast with colorful autumn leaves.

Practical Tips

• 🎫Ticket Information: Peak season (April to October) tickets cost 30 RMB. Additional tickets are required for inner gardens such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Suzhou Street, or you can purchase a combined ticket.

• 📸Photography Tips: Morning and evening light are best for photography; autumn colors are especially vivid after rain when the sky clears.

• 👗Dress Suggestions: Choose light-colored clothes paired with comfortable shoes, suitable for long walks and better for photos. Also, remember to bring a jacket.

⏰Best Viewing Time

From October 15 to November 15 each year, the trees in the park change colors, presenting a colorful spectacle.

🚗Transportation
• 🚇Metro: Take Line 4, exit at “Beigongmen Station” Exit D, about a 5-minute walk to the Summer Palace North Gate; or exit at “Xiyuan Station” Exit C2, about a 10-minute walk to the East Palace Gate.

• 🚌Bus: To the East Palace Gate, take buses 330, 331, 332, 346, 584, 594, 375, 563, 508, 579, 303, Night 8, etc.; to the newly built Palace Gate, take buses 374, 74, 437, 952; to the West Gate, take buses 469, 539.

• 🚙Self-driving: Prioritize parking at the North Gate or West Gate parking lots. The North Gate parking lot has relatively more spaces, but due to heavy visitor volume on holidays, it is recommended to arrive before 7:30 AM. Parking fees are about 10-20 RMB per hour.