Under the fierce invasion by Anglo French forces in 1860, the Old Summer Palace was devastated on a large scale. Some precious relics were looted and are now in display in foreign countries. It was in the 1980s that Chinese government designated it as the historical site under national protection. Visitors going there can imagine the magnificence and delicacy of Chinese artwork from the ruined sites. The picture of Yuanmingyuan in its prime period is exhibited for visitors to enjoy.

Entrance Fee: CNY 25 (CNY 10 for the entrance fee, CNY 15 for the Dashuifa Sites in the garden)

Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00 (Apr. to Oct.); 07:00 - 17:30 (Nov. to Mar.)

Bus Routes:
A. Take Bus No. T4, Yuntong 105, Yuntong 205, 365, 432, 656, 681, 699, 717, 743, 814, 957 or 982 and get off at the East Gate of Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan Dongmen).
B. Take Bus No. T6, 319, 320, 331, 432, 438, 498, 628, 664, 696, 697 or 826 and get off at the South Gate of Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan Nanmen).

In 1707 Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) began to construct the palace known as Yu Yuan (Imperial Gardens), but it was only on a small scale at that time. The Garden was intended as a gift for the emperor's fourth son Yongzheng. In 1725 during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, the great expansion of the grounds went well under way. The superb waterworks were introduced to the gardens to help create some of the streams, ponds and lakes which greatly matched the rolling hills and grounds. Yongzheng also named 28 scenic spots within the garden. After the next Emperor Qianlong took the throne, the garden was largely expanded for another time, as he was quite interested in it, he added some exotic elements to the garden by hiring two Jesuit architects to design the European styles. What is more, there were several Tibetan and Mongol style buildings in the palace. Qianlong increased the number of the scenic spots up to 40.

As the renowned imperial garden throughout the world, the Yuanmingyuan (otherwise known as the Old Summer Palace) is located just outside the west gate of Tsinghua University, north of Peking University, and east of the New Summer Palace. It covers an area of 865 acres (350 hectares), five times the area of the Forbidden City.

The Imperial Gardens consisted of three gardens, the Garden of Perfect Brightness proper, the Garden of Eternal Spring and the Elegant Spring Garden. In the prime period of the Old Summer Palace, it was a treasure house of Chinese art and literature. It was fully stored with curios, jade articles, paintings, books, jewelry, precious porcelain and handcrafts of all kinds, making it one of the largest museums in the world. The library collected a copy of Four Complete Volumes of Chinese Classics with 79,003 volumes and 853,453 pages. The largest lake, the 'Sea of Fortune', covered an area of 69 acres and was encircled by more than 60 scenic places.

Especially, during Chinese Spring Festival, you will be attracted by every splendid program; when celebrating the Water-Splashing Festival, people sprinkle water to each other as a unique way to express their good wish, since water symbolizes luck and wealth. Performances with strong ethnic flavor will bring visitors a fantastic feeling.

Just come here and enjoy the cool and happy moment!

Entrance Fee:
CNY 160 (Apr. 1 to Nov. 14) CNY 120 (Nov. 15 to Mar. 31)
CNY 60 (during night from Apr. 1 to Jun. 30)

Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 52 from Tiananmen to Jinsong Bridge East and change to Bus No. 4 and get off at Beijing Happy Valley (Beijing Huan Le Gu).
B. Take Bus No. 674, 680 or 687 to Beijing Huaqiaocheng South, and walk to north for a few minutes.

Additionally, there are various thematic leisure activities in the park. During the Pop Music Festival, the super band usually creates a grand music concert for you. Those deafening rhythms, marvelous sound and hot dances that can easily arouse your enthusiasm; in the Maximal Exercise Festival, your eyes will be feasted on all sorts of performances. It is an exciting and healthy festival of praising youth; on the International Magic Day, magicians of the first class from all over the world present distinct magic tricks for you. And you just keep your eyes on this magical world full of suspension.

Beijing Happy Valley consists of six theme parks, including the Firth Forest, the Atlantis, the Aegean Sea, the Lost Maya, Shangri-La and the Ant Kingdom. Over 50 scenic sights of culture and ecology are scattered in all directions, providing you with a rare opportunity to experience various amusements. The whole valley is compared to a beautiful artistic picture where you can see tree houses, docks, bridges, towns, ancient towers, lakes, forests and other amazing scenic spots beyond your imagination. Passing through the famous 'ecological forest' in the Firth Forest, the first thing you will see is the high-rising Crystal City. There you can have a close contact with those figures of ancient Greek myths in the Aegean Sea; recall the glorious Maya and their scattered huge stone pillars; enjoy the happiness of simple life in the dreamy Shangri-la and experience the life of ants in the Ant Kingdom. In a word, Beijing Happy Valley will provide your a wonder trip full of surprise and excitement.

You may have been tired after a long journey in Beijing; you may wonder where else you can have entertainment. Beijing Happy Valley, located in the southeast corner of Sifang Bridge, on the fourth ring road, in Chaoyang District of Beijing, is a wonderful amusement park which can fully satisfy you. Occupying an area of 1,000,000 square kilometers (386,102 square miles), it has been open to the public since 2006 and attracted a lot of visitors from home and abroad.

Entrance Fee:
CNY 160 (Apr. 1 to Nov. 14) CNY 120 (Nov. 15 to Mar. 31)
CNY 60 (during night from Apr. 1 to Jun. 30)

Just before Ritan Donglu stands the Ritan Office Building which, despite its name, is actually packed with dozens of clothes and shoe boutiques selling mostly genuine brands at much reduced prices. Popular German restaurant Schindlers Tankstelle is nestled next door, and has one of the most coveted beer gardens in town. Stretching into Ritan Park, the back patio is a lovely shaded vantage point to sit back with a stein and absorb park life.

Entrance Fee: Free

Opening Hours:
06:00 - 21:00 (winter); 06:00 - 22:00 (summer)

Transportation: Take Bus No. 1, 4, 57 or 729 and get off at Ritan Road; Take Bus No. 112 or 846 and get off at Shenlu Street; Take Bus No. 44, 750 or 800 and get off at Yabao Road; Take Bus No. 28, 43 or 110 and get off at Fangcaodi Stop.

Turn right at Dongdaqiao Lu, passing Tibetan peddlers selling turquoise, silver and other colorful trinkets, before you reach shopping Mecca, the Silk Market, on the corner of Jianguowenwai Dajie and Dongdajie Lu. Putting some of Beijing's World Heritage-listed sites to shame, the seven-storey complex is the third most well-known attraction in Beijing, after the Great Wall and the Forbidden City – small wonder considering that 60,000 people visit on your average Saturday. The market today houses over 1,700 stalls complete with 3,000 smooth-talking salespeople. By the time you have bargained with just a handful of them you will be ready for a strong drink. Cross the street and make your way to the third floor of the East Twin Tower. The hooky Philippe Starck-designed Lan Club sprawls over 1.2 acres and comes with eagle thrones and strong martinis.

Around 220 yards of Guanghua Lu, take a right and enter Ritan Park at the West Gate. In the name of Olympic spirit, many of Beijing's parks have abolished entrance fees – and this just happens to be one of them. It is one of the oldest parks in Beijing, dating back to the 1530's when it was a place for Qing and Ming Dynasties emperors to pay homage to the God of the Sun. Today, it is a bit less exclusive, with tai chi enthusiasts, ballroom dancers, fitness fanatics and those just looking for a bit of respite in the shade of the droopy willow trees.