Half-Day Leisure Trip to the Summer Palace

After lunch, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared up. Such pleasant and cool weather would be wasted if I stayed indoors, so I decided to head out for some fun on my own. From my doorstep, I hopped on a bus that took me directly to Xiyuan without needing to transfer. After getting off, I rented a shared bike and quickly arrived at the East Gate of the Summer Palace. 1. First Encounter at Xiyuan North Station The final stop of Bus 331 is Xiyuan North Station, which feels like a time portal leading to the imperial gardens. The bus passed through the bustling streets of Xinjiekou and the traffic of Beitaiping Bridge before stopping at a shaded platform. As I stepped off the bus, the splash of water under my shoes mixed with the sweet scent of locust flowers, evoking childhood memories of summer vacations—the kind of excitement that comes with "exploring alone." 2. A Leisurely Ride on a Shared Bike The ride from Xiyuan North Station to the East Gate of the Summer Palace took only ten minutes, yet it felt like traveling through the seams of four seasons. Cycling along Summer Palace Road, the tree-lined path near Peking University's west gate was dappled with afternoon light filtering through sycamore leaves, creating golden coins that danced on the bike pedals. Turning a corner, I caught a glimpse of Kunming Lake, its shimmering surface breaking the reflection of clouds into fragments. In the distance, the glazed roof of the Tower of Buddhist Incense gleamed under the blue sky, embodying the grandeur of royal aesthetics. 3. Entering Through the East Gate: A Poetic Yet Overlooked Entrance While most visitors crowded at the North Palace Gate, I preferred the tranquility of the East Gate. As I scanned my ticket to enter, I encountered a group of retired gentlemen with cameras, busy discussing the composition of their lotus flower shots. Their animated discussions were more lively than the attraction itself. Once inside, I headed straight for the Long Corridor. Beneath its 728-meter-long painted ceiling, the breeze carried the moist scent of the lake, dissipating the summer heat. The murals depicting landscapes and figures seemed to narrate stories, only to be interrupted by the exclamations of tourists, adding a touch of everyday charm. 4. Kunming Lake at Three O'Clock in the Afternoon A long queue formed at the boat rental area, so I hesitated and turned toward the Seventeen-Arch Bridge instead. The stone lions on the bridge were so hot under the sun that they could fry an egg, yet the breeze through the bridge arches was refreshingly cool, like natural air conditioning. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! Fish!" I looked down to see a group of koi nibbling at the shadows of willow leaves, their splashes breaking into silver coins. On the opposite shore, the bronze ox silently gazed at the water, with two sparrows squabbling on its horns, resembling an emperor watching their antics with amusement. 5. Time Folds in the Garden of Harmonious Interests As I entered the Garden of Harmonious Interests, dark clouds began to gather again. The winding corridors twisted and turned, making me forget the era outside. The pond reflected black tiles and red pillars, resembling a spilled ink painting from the late Qing or early Republican era. Suddenly, raindrops plopped onto the lotus leaves, forming pearls that rolled into the lake's center, creating ripples that chased each other in circles, as if the entire summer had condensed into this sudden rain. 6. Dusk and the Journey Home Exiting through the New Palace Gate, I saw Bus 374 waiting with its tail lights blinking. Onboard, elderly women chatted about vegetable prices, while my canvas bag, filled with willow fluff and lake breeze, bulged with the day's carefree moments. As I swiped my card, the "beep" sounded like a checkpoint in a dream—after all, those who can hop on a bus to chase the sunset are the happiest travelers in this city.