(e.g., "Hiking in the Summer Palace: Unlocking the Spring Romance of the Royal Garden")

Here's a detailed guide to visiting the Summer Palace, incorporating the latest information: I. Best Time to Visit The Summer Palace is suitable for visiting year-round. Choose the best time based on your preferences: - Late March to early April: Hill peach blossoms are in full bloom (West Dike is the best spot). The scenery is otherworldly, and April is the off-season, with lower ticket prices (CNY 20) and fewer crowds. - April to October: Peak season (tickets CNY 30). Suitable for boating and hiking. Lotus flowers bloom in summer, and the forests turn vibrant colors in autumn. - November to February: Off-season (tickets CNY 20). Enjoy the tranquil snowscape with very few tourists. II. Transportation - Subway: - Line 4, Beigongmen Station, Exit D: A 3-minute walk to the North Palace Gate. Ideal for those who prefer a less strenuous route (recommended). - Line 4, Xiyuan Station: A 15-minute walk to the East Palace Gate. - Bus: - Route 74, Liulang Swimming Pool Station: A 5-minute walk to the South Ruyi Gate. Suitable for spring flower viewing routes. - Boat (unique experience): - Royal Grand Canal Cruise: Zizhuyuan Park, Ziyuwan Wharf → Summer Palace, South Ruyi Gate. Tickets CNY 59.9 (including commentary). The cruise takes 30 minutes, and you can enjoy views of Zizhuyuan Park, Wanshou Temple, and other attractions along the way. III. Ticket Information - Peak season (Apr 1 to Oct 31): - Tickets CNY 30, combined tickets CNY 60 (including access to gardens within the park). - Off-season (Nov 1 to Mar 31): - Tickets CNY 20, combined tickets CNY 50. - Gardens within the park: Foxiangge (Hall of the Fragrance of Buddha) CNY 10, Suzhou Street CNY 10, Summer Palace Museum CNY 20, etc. - Tip: Combined tickets offer good value, but if time is limited, the basic ticket is sufficient for visiting the core areas. IV. Recommended Core Attractions 1. Kunming Lake - Must-try: Take a boat trip on the lake (routes such as Bronze Ox → Shizhang Pavilion, Marble Boat → South Lake Island, one-way CNY 40) and experience the "Royal Lake" scenery. - Photo spots: Seventeen-Arch Bridge (best at sunrise/sunset), South Lake Island (climb the island for a panoramic view of Kunming Lake). 2. Longevity Hill - Foxiangge (Hall of the Fragrance of Buddha): Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the entire park. Requires a separate ticket (CNY 10). - Paiyun Dian (Hall of Dispelling Clouds): Where Empress Dowager Cixi celebrated her birthday. The architecture is magnificent. 3. West Dike - Spring exclusive: Hill peach blossoms are in full bloom from late March to early April, creating a fairyland-like scene. It is recommended to enter the park from the South Ruyi Gate and walk to the West Dike. 4. Long Corridor - The world's longest painted corridor: The 728-meter-long corridor is decorated with thousands of colorful paintings depicting landscapes, figures, and stories. Perfect for strolling and taking photos. 5. Suzhou Street - Ancient-style commercial street: A restored Qing Dynasty water town along the Back Lake. Experience handicrafts and snacks. 6. Summer Palace Museum - Must-see: Royal artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the late Qing Dynasty, such as the Bing Fu Ji Fang Ding (a bronze cauldron) and the Zitan Chapai Shi Zuoping (a rosewood screen). V. Food Recommendations - Inside the park: Tingliguan Restaurant (imperial cuisine, approx. CNY 150 per person), Zhishun Pavilion Coffee Shop (lakeside afternoon tea). - Surrounding area: - Near the West Palace Gate: Beijing time-honored brands "Tongheju" (try the Jiang Bao Ji Ding, or diced chicken with sweet bean sauce) and "Huguosi Snacks" (try the Douzhi, a fermented mung bean milk, and Jiaoquan, a type of fried dough ring). - Tsinghua Science Park: "Xiaodiao Litang" (try the Beijing-style pear soup and the Ganlao Yu, or fish with fermented bean curd). VI. Important Notes 1. Attire: The park covers an area of 3 square kilometers. Comfortable athletic shoes are recommended. 2. Prohibited items: Drones, pets, flammable and explosive materials, etc. (see park regulations for details). 3. Respectful visiting: Climbing on ancient buildings and picking plants are prohibited. Noisy activities, singing, and dancing are prohibited in the core cultural preservation areas (such as Longevity Hill and the East Dike). 4. Beware of scams: Do not trust "cheap one-day tours." Ensure that any guides within the park are officially certified. VII. Sample Itinerary (1-day tour) - Route 1 (Classic Royal Route): - North Palace Gate → Suzhou Street → Four Continents → Foxiangge → Paiyun Dian → Long Corridor → Kunming Lake boat trip → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → exit through East Palace Gate. - Route 2 (Spring Flower Viewing Route): - South Ruyi Gate → West Dike (hill peach blossoms) → Jingming Tower → South Lake Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → East Dike → Zhishun Pavilion → exit through East Palace Gate. The Summer Palace is the epitome of royal gardens. It is recommended to allocate 6–8 hours for an in-depth visit. Avoid peak times on weekends. Entering the park early in the morning offers a better experience. If time permits, combine your visit with the Old Summer Palace and Tsinghua University/Peking University for a "Haidian Cultural Day Trip."