Beijing, this ancient capital with thousands of years of history, not only carries rich cultural heritage, but also nurtures numerous breathtaking historical relics and natural scenery. Among numerous famous scenic spots and historical sites, the Summer Palace and The Temple of Heaven are undoubtedly two brilliant pearls. They are not only outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese royal culture, but also important components of world cultural heritage. The Summer Palace attracts countless tourists with its magnificent architecture, elegant gardens, and profound cultural heritage; The Temple of Heaven, with its unique architectural style and profound cultural connotations, allows people to feel the awe of ancient emperors in the solemn atmosphere of worshipping heaven and praying for valleys. This article will provide you with a detailed tour guide for the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, including opening hours, ticket prices, and introductions to famous attractions, to help you easily plan your Beijing Travel Itinerary and experience the unique charm of these two royal gardens.
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1. Summer Palace Tour Guide
【Overview】
The Summer Palace, as the largest and most well preserved royal garden in China, is located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing, covering an area of approximately 290 hectares. It is built based on Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain, drawing on the design techniques of Jiangnan gardens, and is a large natural landscape garden. The park is surrounded by mountains and rivers, connected by corridors and bridges, and has a pleasant scenery. It is one of the must visit attractions for Chinese and foreign tourists visiting Beijing.
【Opening Time】
The Summer Palace is open from 6:00 to 20:00 during the peak season (April 1 to October 31), and from 6:30 to 19:00 during the off-season (November 1 to March 31). Tourists need to arrange their travel time reasonably according to the season.
【Tickets】
Summer Palace tickets are divided into two types: regular tickets and combined tickets. Regular tickets cost 30 yuan/person during peak season and 20 yuan/person during off-season; Joint ticket costs 60 yuan/person during peak season and 50 yuan/person during off-season. The joint ticket includes attractions such as Deheyuan, Wenchang Yuan, FoXiangge, and Suzhou Street. Tourists can choose to purchase according to their own needs.
【Highlights】
Long Corridor: With a total length of 728 meters and 273 rooms, it is the longest corridor in Chinese gardens. There are tens of thousands of colored paintings on the long corridor, mostly depicting landscapes, flowers, birds, and historical stories, which are of great ornamental value.
Buddha Fragrance Pavilion: Located on the foothills of Wanshou Mountain, it is a landmark building of the Summer Palace. There is a bronze statue of Guanyin with a thousand hands enshrined in the pavilion. Climbing up to the pavilion, you can overlook the scenery of the entire garden.
Kunming Lake: The main water area of the Summer Palace, with a vast and sparkling surface. Tourists can take a boat tour to experience the tranquility and magnificence of the royal gardens.
2. Temple of Heaven Tour Guide
【Overview】
The Temple of Heaven, located in the southern part of Beijing, was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was a place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for valleys. The Temple of Heaven is renowned as a world cultural heritage site for its unique architectural style and profound cultural connotations.
【Opening Time】
The Temple of Heaven is open from 8:00 to 17:30 during the peak season (April 1st to October 31st), and from 8:00 to 17:00 during the off-season (November 1st to March 31st). Tourists should pay attention to the opening hours to avoid missing out on exciting attractions.
【Tickets】
The tickets for the Temple of Heaven are divided into two types: regular tickets and joint tickets. Regular tickets cost 15 yuan/person during peak season and 10 yuan/person during off-season; Joint ticket costs 35 yuan/person during peak season and 30 yuan/person during off-season. The joint ticket includes attractions such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, and Circular Hill Altar. Tourists can choose to purchase according to their interests.
【Highlights】
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: The main building of the Temple of Heaven, magnificent and majestic. The palace enshrines the divine positions of the Heavenly Emperor and ancestors, and is the place where the emperor holds the prayer ceremony for grain.
Echo Wall: The wall of the Imperial Vault, which has a magical echo effect. Tourists standing under the wall speak softly, and their voices can spread along the wall to the other end tens of meters away, which is breathtaking.
Round Hill Altar: a place where the emperor worships the heavens on the winter solstice. The altar is paved with mugwort green stone and has three layers, each surrounded by stone railings. There is an imperial dome on the altar, which enshrines the divine tablet of the God of Heaven.
3. Precautions and travel suggestions for Beijing tourism
When visiting the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven, please follow the regulations of the scenic area, take care of cultural relics and historical sites, and maintain environmental hygiene. At the same time, pay attention to personal property safety and avoid staying in crowded places for too long. Tourists can choose to visit famous scenic spots based on their own interests and time arrangements, or try to participate in tour guide services within the scenic area to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural background of the attractions.
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