Let's Go, We Have a Date in Beijing (Part 1): Introduction & Summer Palace

Meta Description: Plan your Beijing trip with this guide to the Summer Palace, Mid-Autumn Festival travel tips, and a mom's perspective on exploring the capital. Discover hidden gems and slow travel secrets.

A Spontaneous Beijing Trip: When the Capital Calls

Some trips are meticulously planned; others arrive like a gust of wind, completely unannounced. This Beijing trip was the latter—a spontaneous decision sparked by a phone call in early September.

My daughter's voice came through: "Mom, come to Beijing to spend Mid-Autumn Festival with me, and then we'll go home together on September 30th for National Day." Flipping through the calendar, I saw about ten days between Mid-Autumn and National Day. It wasn't a bad idea—I could spend the holiday with my child and give myself a little vacation.

I shared the idea with my best friend Hong. Her son was also working hard in Beijing, and we hit it off immediately: arrive in Beijing on September 18th, spend the three-day mini-holiday with our kids and visiting relatives, then after Mid-Autumn Festival when the kids went back to work, we'd explore the city together, and head back to Nanjing on the 30th. Hong quickly snatched up round-trip train tickets, and this "Moms' Group" trip to the capital was officially on the agenda.

Arriving in Beijing: A Journey from South to North

At a little past two in the afternoon on September 18th, I left Nanjing and stepped onto Beijing soil just over four hours later. Before leaving, we'd already downloaded the Beijing health code app and set up public transit cards in Alipay—everything went so smoothly it was reassuring.

After getting out of Beijing South Railway Station, I dove straight into the subway, transferred once, and met up with my daughter. We agreed to get in touch again on the evening of September 21st—after that, it would be time for the "Moms' Tour" with Hong.

[Link: How to use Alipay for Beijing public transit]

Mid-Autumn Festival in Beijing: Spending Time with Family

From September 19th to 21st, Beijing was overcast and drizzly. My daughter let me sleep in, and then we went out to find food.

Food Adventures in Zhongguancun

On the 19th, we had "虾吃虾涮 (shrimp hot pot)" near home—my daughter isn't big on heavy meat dishes, so it suited her perfectly. On the 20th, we went to "小鲜岛 (Little Fresh Island)" at The Place for seafood. We arrived at the restaurant at one in the afternoon and still had to wait 63 minutes for a table. If you waited over 65 minutes, you got a free steamed yellow croaker—we missed it by just two minutes, but it was fine; the two-person set meal had already stuffed us.

After lunch, we walked around The Place to digest. The rain had stopped, and clouds were showing themselves. I went to Hema Fresh to buy some holiday gifts—I always feel like supermarkets in Beijing resemble old-fashioned supply cooperatives, and only Hema looks familiar.

Universal Studios Beijing: Even the Entrance Was Worth It

On the 21st, Mid-Autumn Festival, we went to my brother and sister-in-law's place in Tongzhou for the holiday. My daughter lives in Zhongguancun, and my brother and sister-in-law are in Tongzhou—subway plus bus took a full two and a half hours. That really shows how huge Beijing is—no wonder my daughter doesn't like visiting her uncle's place normally.

My sister-in-law asked if I wanted to go to Universal Studios, saying it was the hottest attraction right now. Unfortunately, it had just opened, and tickets were impossible to get. But coincidentally, Universal Studios is also in Tongzhou, so my sister-in-law suggested, "After lunch, let's go check out the entrance!" So we really did take a forty-minute bus ride just to take photos at the Universal Studios entrance.

Even though we couldn't get into the park, walking along Universal CityWalk was still lively. The largest Peet's Coffee in Asia, the萌萌牛鱼寿司汉堡餐 bar making its first appearance outside the United States, the steampunk-style Kooky Chocolate Shop... there were long lines at every store. Pop Mart, Cocofriends, and even a Grandma's Home restaurant—though nobody was queuing there, probably because it was past mealtime.

In front of the Universal Studios globe, I took a commemorative photo of my daughter. The entrance building had a distinctly Beijing architectural style, with guards stationed in the archway—we couldn't go in. We wandered around until four in the afternoon. My brother and sister-in-law wanted us to stay for dinner, but considering the two-and-a-half-hour trip back, we politely declined. After all, my daughter had to work the next day, and I was about to start the "Moms' Tour" with Hong.

Summer Palace Beijing: A Slow Travel Reunion

To be honest, I'd been to Beijing at least three times before, and I was already well familiar with all the famous attractions. But this was my first time touring the city with Hong—I had to take it seriously.

Hong's legs weren't in great shape, so the Great Wall was a definite no-go. I reluctantly gave up on Fragrant Hills Park too, since the leaves wouldn't be red until late September anyway. We agreed: from the 22nd to the 29th, eight days, we'd visit just one major attraction per day. No rushing, take it slow, walk leisurely, take photos at our own pace—just like we do in Nanjing, combining relaxation with sightseeing.

Our first stop was the Summer Palace, the closest major attraction to where we were staying.

Entering Through the North Palace Gate: A Pleasant Accident

At ten in the morning, we met at Beigongmen Station on Line 4. Why so late? Because my daughter didn't leave for work until nine-thirty, and I basically left around the same time—on this trip, spending time with my child was the priority, and sightseeing came second. The order couldn't be reversed.

From the subway station to the North Palace Gate of the Summer Palace was a four-minute walk. We scanned a QR code at the gate to buy tickets: a regular ticket was 30 RMB, and a combo ticket was 60 RMB (including four garden-within-a-garden attractions: Suzhou Street, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Wenchang Hall, and Dehe Garden). Hong and I discussed it and decided to just get regular tickets. Last time, my husband and I bought combo tickets, went straight into Suzhou Street, and spent a whole hour taking photos without even leaving. Later, we couldn't find the entrance to the Tower of Buddhist Incense up on the hill, and by the time we were tired, we hadn't even visited the other two gardens—lesson learned. This time, we'd skip the inner gardens.

After entering through the North Palace Gate and passing the "Suzhou Street Site Reconstruction Stele," a three-arch stone bridge spanned Suzhou River. Beneath it was Suzhou Street, rebuilt in 1986. This shopping street from the Qianlong era was modeled after Jiangnan water towns, with shop staff all played by eunuchs. After being destroyed in 1860, only the dock ruins and two small bridges remained. Now it's been rebuilt with over thirty shops like Mingpei Studio, Tuyun Store, and Buyun Studio, all facing the river so you can shop from boats.

We stood on the bridge, took a few photos from both sides, and then started climbing the hill along a small path outside the construction barriers. Very few tourists enter through the North Palace Gate, so we strolled along, stopping whenever we wanted to take photos, almost completely undisturbed.

The Four Great Continents: A Tibetan-Style Surprise

The hill wasn't high, and soon we reached a group of Tibetan-style buildings—a lamasery. On the other side of the wall was a main hall, probably part of the construction we'd seen behind the barriers. I pulled out my phone for a group photo. The Beijing sky was a cloudless, deep blue—perfectly described by that classic elementary school essay phrase: "the sky was as blue as if it had been washed."

The buildings came in square, triangular, half-moon, and full-moon shapes. According to the signage, this was called "Four Great Continents." We lingered at the lamasery for quite a while before continuing on.

The Sea of Wisdom and the "Lost" Tower of Buddhist Incense

We arrived at the "Sea of Wisdom" (Zhihui Hai). The building's exterior was entirely decorated with exquisite yellow and green glazed tiles, with intricate patterns that caught the afternoon sunlight. We spent a good twenty minutes just admiring the craftsmanship and taking photos from every angle.

From there, we could see the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge) in the distance—the iconic structure of the Summer Palace that we'd missed on our previous visit. But this time, we decided not to chase it. Sometimes the best travel experiences come from letting go of the must-see list and simply enjoying what you find.

[Link: Summer Palace ticket prices and opening hours 2024]

FAQ: Planning Your Beijing Trip

1. What is the best time to visit the Summer Palace?

Early autumn (September to October) is ideal. The weather is mild, the crowds are thinner than summer, and the sky is often a brilliant blue—perfect for photography.

2. How much does a Summer Palace ticket cost?

A regular ticket is 30 RMB (off-peak) or 60 RMB (peak season). A combo ticket (including gardens within the garden) is 60 RMB off-peak and 120 RMB peak season. We recommend the regular ticket unless you're determined to visit all inner gardens.

3. Which entrance is best for a quiet visit?

The North Palace Gate (Beigongmen) is less crowded than the East Palace Gate. It's also close to Suzhou Street and the Four Great Continents, offering a more relaxed experience.

4. Can I visit Universal Studios Beijing without a ticket?

You can explore Universal CityWalk for free, which features shops, restaurants, and photo spots like the iconic globe. However, you cannot enter the park itself without a valid ticket.

5. How many days should I spend in Beijing for a slow travel trip?

For a relaxed visit like ours, 8–10 days is perfect. Focus on one major attraction per day, leaving time for food, rest, and spontaneous discoveries.

Internal Linking Suggestions

• [Link: Complete Beijing travel itinerary for first-time visitors]
• [Link: How to use Alipay for Beijing public transit]
• [Link: Summer Palace ticket prices and opening hours 2024]
• [Link: Best time to visit Beijing for autumn foliage]
• [Link: Universal Studios Beijing ticket guide and tips]

Final Thoughts: Your Beijing Date Awaits

This trip wasn't about checking off every landmark—it was about connection. Connection with my daughter over Mid-Autumn Festival, connection with my best friend Hong during our slow exploration of the Summer Palace, and connection with a city that reveals its magic when you're not rushing.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Beijing offers something new every time. The Summer Palace, with its blend of imperial grandeur and Jiangnan charm, is the perfect starting point. And if you're traveling with family, remember: sometimes the best moments happen outside the main attractions—like taking a 40-minute bus ride just to photograph the Universal Studios entrance.

Ready to plan your own Beijing adventure? Start by booking your Summer Palace tickets online to skip the queues, and don't forget to download Alipay for seamless transit. Your date with Beijing is waiting.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven!

What's your favorite Beijing attraction? Share in the comments below!