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Construction of Di Hoa Vien began in 1988, with a total cost of up to 3000 million yuan. After 10 years of construction, it was officially renamed Di Hoa Vien. This summer palace is located approximately 15 km northwest of the city center of Beijing.
Di Hoa Vien is also affectionately known as the Beijing Summer Palace (Image Source: Collection)
According to Chinese history, Di Hoa Vien means a garden that brings relaxation and tranquility to the soul. Therefore, it has become a famous destination for sightseeing and entertainment among the ancient Chinese royalty.
In 1998, Di Hoa Vien was officially recognized by UNESCO as a 'World Heritage Site' for its unique architectural style and Feng Shui significance, which are unparalleled in China. In addition, Di Hoa Vien is renowned for its imperial garden artistry, with the largest investment scale in China. Every aspect of architecture and landscape arrangement seems to achieve the highest level of sophistication and perfection, while strictly adhering to the principles of Feng Shui.
Some Travel Information about Di Hoa Vien
Operating Hours
At different times, the management will set two different time frames. This will help Di Hoa Vien avoid overcrowding due to large influxes of tourists and provide the best experience for all visitors.
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Peak Season (from 01/04 to 31/10): Di Hoa Vien opens for visitors from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
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Off-Peak Season (from 01/11 to 31/03): Di Hoa Vien opens from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Ticket Prices
Similar to the opening hours, the ticket prices for Di Hoa Vien are also divided into different periods:
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Peak Season (from 01/04 to 31/10): The ticket price is 60 CNY/person (equivalent to 200,000 VND/person).
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Off-Peak Season (from 01/11 to 21/03): The ticket price is 50 CNY/person (equivalent to 160,000 VND/person).
History of Di Hoa Vien Formation
Di Hoa Vien is a grand architectural marvel featuring famous landscapes such as Côn Minh Lake, Vạn Thọ Mountain... The summer palace draws inspiration from West Lake in Hangzhou and is based on the design emulation of the gardens of Jiangnan.
This magnificent royal palace was built during the Qing Dynasty with a total area of 290 hectares. However, few know that this land area existed over 800 years ago with numerous renovations and name changes. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, this architectural masterpiece was upgraded and expanded into many other areas.
In 1750, Emperor Qianlong used 4.48 million taels of silver to build Thanh Hoa Yi Palace to express gratitude for the care of his mother, Empress Dowager Sùng Khánh. The imperial garden stretches 20 km from Thanh Hoa Yi Palace to Tương Sơn.
Enchanting and picturesque scenery of the summer palace (Image Source: Collection)
By the year 19860, Thanh Hoa Council had been seized and completely burned by the Allied forces of Britain and France. Under the reign of King Quang Tu the 14th (in 1888), this place officially changed to Di Hoa Garden. When the stronghold officially collapsed, the entire Di Hoa Garden was destroyed in the chaos between warlords and the Nationalist Party.
After enduring numerous tumultuous upheavals, Di Hoa Garden has undergone several painstaking renovations. However, the royal palace still retains its opulent and magnificent beauty as in its inception. In 2007, Di Hoa Garden was officially recognized as a national tourist destination by the National Tourism Administration. In 2009, Di Hoa Garden was honored by Guinness World Records as the largest imperial garden in China.
Distinctive Architecture of Di Hoa Garden
If there were a vote for the most artistically architectural palaces in China, Di Hoa Garden could be a strong contender. This place covers a total area of 290 hectares (equivalent to 294 acres of land). Of this, three-quarters of the palace area is comprised of lakes, ponds, and flower gardens.
Di Hua Garden carries many unique Feng Shui meanings of Chinese culture (Image Source: Collection)
In the first layer of significance, Tu Hy Thai aims to depict the image of peach symbolizing Fortune, bat symbolizing Prosperity, and turtle symbolizing Longevity. However, Di Hua Garden not only embodies Feng Shui significance but also represents a monument deeply imprinted with the prosperity of a nation. Most notably, the pearl in the sky with the meaning of protection and shelter stands out.
Extraordinary attractions only found at Di Hua Garden
From the moment you set foot in Di Hua Garden, many tourists cannot help but marvel at the hundred-year-old historical relics and the picturesque scenery here. Below are the most famous attractions that you can only find at Di Hua Garden.
Con Minh Lake District
Con Minh Lake is the most stunning architectural masterpiece within Di Hoa Garden covering an area of up to 200 hectares. In winter, the entire surface of Con Minh Lake is covered with a solid layer of ice, creating a mystical and eerie scene. As summer approaches, Di Hoa Garden bursts with vibrant life, accompanied by gentle, cool breezes. This is the ideal time when Queen Tu Hy often comes here to relax and enjoy the scenery. For this reason, Di Hoa Garden is also known as the “Summer Palace”.
Viewed from above, Con Minh Lake resembles a gigantic peach, with its stem resembling a river leading water into the lake through the West Gate. If you have the opportunity to visit Con Minh Lake, you will have the chance to admire the bustling Taozhou Street while strolling along both sides of the river.
The Con Minh Lake District was once a place for the queens of the Qing Dynasty to enjoy during the summer days (Image source: Compiled)
Legend has it that during his southern tours, Emperor Qianlong always took Empress Sùng Khánh to admire the scenery. However, due to her old age and frail health, the Empress had fewer opportunities to travel. With his deep filial piety, Emperor Qianlong decided to build a city in the style of Taozhou right in the heart of the Forbidden City on the occasion of her 60th birthday. This allowed the Empress to enjoy the sights of Taozhou without having to venture far south.
Mount Longevity
The most impressive feature of Mount Longevity is its towering height of 60 meters, entirely carved by human hands. It is all made from sand excavated during the construction of Con Minh Lake. Mount Longevity is located opposite Con Minh Lake, so visitors can visit it after exploring the area of Di Hoa Garden.
School of Cranes
Located at the southern foot of Mount Longevity, Trường Lang overlooks the picturesque Con Minh Lake. It is also known as the longest corridor in Chinese garden architecture, with a total length of 728 meters. Moreover, Trường Lang holds the Guinness World Record for being the “Longest corridor in the world”. Surrounding the corridor are over 14,000 mosaic pictures depicting cranes, fish, flowers, landscapes, and more.
With a total length of up to 728 meters, Trường Lang at Di Hoa Garden is recognized as the longest corridor in the world (Image source: Compiled)
Thap That Khong Bridge
Thap That Khong Bridge is an architectural marvel entirely made of stone, consisting of 17 spans, 150 meters long, and 18 meters wide. The bridge connects the shore to a small island in Con Minh Lake. While strolling along the bridge, visitors can admire 500 sculptures depicting various figures and expressions.
Important Tips for Visiting Di Hoa Garden
To fully enjoy your visit to Di Hoa Garden, visitors should pay attention to the following:
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Di Hoa Garden is a majestic and tranquil royal palace. Therefore, visitors should strictly adhere to rules such as not climbing trees, not smoking, etc.
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Do not use cameras when exploring inside the palace.
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If traveling to Di Hoa Garden in winter, it is advisable to wear warm clothes. For summer visits, bring hats, caps, and sunscreen.
Di Hoa Garden is not only a famous scenic spot and an ideal destination for the “country of a billion people”, but it is also a source of pride for the Chinese people as a World Heritage Site. A trip to Beijing without visiting Di Hoa Garden - the Summer Palace is like wasting your youth. If you need to book a China tour, please contact the Mytour hotline of Mytour! Our team will provide free advice on all itineraries, tour prices, and attractive offers.
