The Summer Palace (颐和园) is a breathtaking location in Beijing, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and classical Chinese architecture. During autumn, the palace is a photographer’s paradise, with golden leaves, tranquil waters, and iconic structures providing the perfect backdrop for your photos. If you’re looking to capture the essence of this cultural heritage site, here’s a guide to the best photography routes and spots to visit during the fall.
Route 1: Classic Photography Route
Starting Point: Bei Gongmen (North Palace Gate) (北宫门)
Ending Point: Xinjian Palace Gate (新建宫门)
- Bei Gongmen (North Palace Gate) (北宫门)
The entrance to the Summer Palace offers an excellent opportunity to capture the grand, historical architecture. The red gates and gray bricks are perfect for creating a sense of tradition and history in your photos. It’s a great place to begin your photographic journey. - Suzhou Street (苏州街)
A picturesque representation of the water towns of Jiangnan, Suzhou Street is a charming scene with its stone bridges and traditional architecture. Stand on the bridge and capture a bird’s-eye view of the area for a truly iconic shot. - Four Great Regions (四大部洲)
Known for its Tibetan-style architecture, this area features unique buildings with intricate designs. Stand in the archway and frame your shot from either direction to create a photo that feels like a picture within a frame. - Painting in the Picture (画中游)
One of the most popular spots in the Summer Palace, this area offers an incredible view of the palace’s landscape. Walk along the west corridor to the highest point and capture the view below, creating an artistic image as if you’re stepping into a painting. - Long Corridor (长廊)
The Long Corridor is a perfect spot for using its winding path to create dynamic compositions. From a diagonal angle, use a wide-angle lens to capture the entire corridor with the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion (Fo Xiang Ge) (佛香阁) in the background, creating a unique photo with a person positioned at the center. - Buddha Fragrance Pavilion (佛香阁)
The back entrance of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion offers an excellent vantage point to capture the full architectural grandeur of this iconic building. Be sure to capture it in its entirety. - Cloud Dispelling Hall (排云殿)
With its golden glazed roof tiles glistening in the sunlight, the Cloud Dispelling Hall is a stunning subject for photos. Its shimmering beauty makes it an ideal place for shooting during the golden hours of the day. - Zhi Chun Pavilion (知春亭)
From the large stone near the pavilion’s northern side, you can capture stunning photos with both Wanshou Mountain (万寿山) and the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion (佛香阁) in the background, creating a perfect balance of architecture and nature. - Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔桥)
A highlight of the Summer Palace, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge is best photographed during sunrise or sunset. The golden sunlight streaming through the arches makes for a truly magical shot.
Route 2: Eastern Causeway Scenic Route
Starting Point: Xinjian Palace Gate (新建宫门)
Ending Point: Donggongmen (East Palace Gate) (东宫门)
- Xinjian Palace Gate (新建宫门)
This entrance, offering views of Kunming Lake (昆明湖), is a peaceful start to your photography journey. The vibrant colors and calm water make for beautiful, serene shots. - Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔桥)
The central part of the bridge allows for great close-up shots of the intricate railings and carvings. You can also walk to either end of the bridge to photograph the combination of the bridge, the lake, and the distant mountains. - South Lake Island (南湖岛)
Located on Kunming Lake, Nanhu Island can only be reached by boat. Once there, the island offers a picturesque view of the lake and surrounding landscape, perfect for wide-angle shots. - Eastern Causeway (东堤)
The Eastern Causeway is an excellent spot to capture wide shots of Kunming Lake and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. This is the best location to capture the famous “golden light through the bridge” shot. - Zhi Chun Pavilion (知春亭)
The pavilion offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, where you can combine the mountains, water, and pavilions into a stunning composition. - Pleasure Garden (谐趣园)
The Xiequ Garden is another excellent photography spot, with its charming “Drinking Green” Pavilion (饮绿亭) and scenic views. The tranquil ambiance provides a perfect setting for capturing palace aesthetics. - East Palace Gate (东宫门)
The East Palace Gate is one of the main entrances to the Summer Palace. The grand plaza and the architectural design of the gate itself offer an imposing, striking backdrop for photos.