Summer Palace

This impressive building, which houses the palace which was once used as a summer residence of Chinese emperors, is one of the most visited monuments of Beijing. To visit and see everything you'll have to spend at least all morning doing it, because there seems to be not only an infinite number of buildings, but also forests, temples, gardens, hills and lakes. There are always many tourists, especially Chinese ones ve come from other parts of China, but for being so big you will not feel too overwhelmed like what can happen in places like the Forbidden City. Chinese emperors fled here in the summer when the heat was scorching, to situated in the northwest of the city.

I love the detail in the painting of The Summer Palace, I also love the style of the building so I spent quite abit of time here. The view is amazing. Please be careful though when you get talking to locals and they ask you if you want to go get a drink. I said yes because the young lady I was speaking to told me she wanted to learn English. She had given me so much local information that I thought there was no harm in going.

So I went with her to a tea shop, I explained I dont actually drink tea, it was a very hot day, so she ordered iced tea. Then the assistant tried upselling us biscuits - I also declined but she said when you are in Beijing you must drink and eat how locals do - so out came the biscuits (which are dry and not worth even trying!) Then the bill was presented to me I said I will only pay half it was $200.

Make sure you'll go early at your Mai 1 st visit. Beautiful and interesting place.

The boat trip is also cool to do! Learn about its history, it’s very interesting.