“The Imperial Garden Dream — Summer Palace”

#chinatravel After visiting the Forbidden City, you should arrange it like this! From the Forbidden City to White Dagoba: A Scenic Beijing Walk After exiting the Forbidden City’s Shenwu Gate (North Gate): 1. Head west to the "Iconic Corner Tower View" - Walk just 50 meters west along the moat to discover Beijing’s most photographed angle of the Forbidden City Corner Towers - Why stop here: - This spot perfectly showcases the harmonious symmetry of Ming dynasty architecture, with the tower’s golden roof and crimson walls mirrored in the moat. Option 1: Climb Jingshan Park for the Ultimate Vista Why go:Directly opposite Shenwu Gate, Jingshan Park’s 5-minute uphill walk leads to Wanchun Pavilion (万春亭). - The view from the top: - 360° panoramas of the Forbidden City’s golden roofs + modern Beijing’s skyline. - Historically significant: This was where the last Ming emperor ended his reign. - Practical info: - Open 6:00-21:00 (summer); ¥2 entry. - Avoid weekends* if possible – weekdays offer quieter moments. 🏞️ Option 2: Stroll to Beihai Park’s Imperial Gardens - From Shenwu Gate: Walk 15 minutes northwest. Enter through the south gate. - Why you’ll love it: - A UNESCO site with 1,000+ years of history – once the playground of emperors. - Summer highlights: - Rent a paddle boat beneath the White Dagoba (¥160/hr). - Escape heat under ancient cypress trees(up to 800 years old!). - Sip chilled plum juice at lakeside kiosks. - Don’t miss:The glazed-tile Nine-Dragon Wall– more intricate than the Forbidden City’s version! ☕ Afternoon: White Dagoba Temple & Café Hopping From Beihai’s North Gate → White Dagoba Temple (妙应寺白塔): - By foot:20-min scenic walk through traditional hutongs (alleyways). - By bus: Take Bus 101/103 (¥2, 10 mins) from "Beihai North Gate" stop. Explore the Temple: - Must-know facts: - This 51m Tibetan stupa(built 1279!) is older than Beijing’s city walls. - Designed by a Nepali architect – note the unique Himalayan-Chinese fusion style.. Cafés with White Dagoba Views: The surrounding hutongs hide gems where history meets hipster culture: - Tǎr Café :Rooftop seats face the stupa. Try their signature White Dagoba Cloud Cake - Lian Coffee :Floor-to-ceiling windows + jasmine cold brew. Opens until 10 PM for night-lit tower views. 💡 Local insight:These cafés transformed the area from a tourist checkpoint into a creative hub – chat with baristas about hutong life! 🌟 Why This Route Works - Time-efficient:All sites within 3 km – walkable or short bike/bus hops. - Culture layered:Imperial (Forbidden City/Beihai) → spiritual (White Dagoba) → modern (cafés). - Foreigner-friendly:Clear English signs, café menus, and mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat) accepted everywhere. > This walk reveals Beijing’s soul – where emperors, monks, and coffee lovers coexist. Wear breathable clothes in summer, and let curiosity guide you!"✨