Hey friends! If you’re planning a spring trip to Beijing, you simply can’t miss the Summer Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage site turns into a living festival of color when the blossoms arrive.
In this guide, I’ll take you to the best spots to see spring flowers in the Summer Palace. From quiet courtyards to hidden corners along the water, these are places where the blossoms truly shine. My hope is simple: that you’ll feel the same joy I do whenever I return.
So, get your camera ready. Let’s explore the most enchanting season of the Summer Palace together, and let the Summer Palace Spring Blossoms heal whatever travel fatigue you might carry.
1. Top Places to See Summer Palace Spring Blossoms
The flowers in the Summer Palace always feel like actors in a grand play. Each one has its moment, its stage, and its own story.
Spring here doesn’t arrive all at once. Instead, it unfolds slowly, like scenes in a drama. First, magnolias lift their pale petals toward the sky. Then, peach and apricot blossoms spill pink against the palace walls. Later, lilacs, crabapples, and peonies step into the spotlight, filling the gardens with color and fragrance.
This section will lead you to the top places to see Summer Palace spring blossoms as they bloom one after another. Each flower has its own timing, and each corner of the palace tells a different spring story.
1) Best Spots to See Wintersweet in the Summer Palace
Wintersweet (腊梅) always feels like the brave messenger of spring. Its golden petals open while the air is still sharp with winter’s chill. The fragrance is sweet, gentle, and full of hope.
From February 1, the first blossoms appear and through March 10, they quietly brighten corners of the Summer Palace, offering the season’s earliest splash of color. I love how unexpected they feel—tiny bursts of gold against bare branches and still skies.
My favorite place to find them is Lenongxuan Pavilion ( 乐农轩 Le Nong Xuan). Here, more than a dozen wintersweet trees bloom in front of a simple wooden courtyard. The blossoms glow softly against the warm timber walls, creating a scene that feels ancient, almost poetic. I often stand here for a long time, breathing in the fragrance and letting the stillness sink in.
For me, these quiet blooms are more than flowers. They are symbols of resilience and renewal—reminders that spring always follows winter. If you’re searching for the best spots to see wintersweet in the Summer Palace, Lenongxuan Pavilion (乐农轩) should be the first stop on your journey.
2) Best Places to View Plum Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Plum blossoms (梅花) always move me. In Chinese culture, they’re known as “the gentleman of flowers”—graceful, noble, and unafraid of the cold. Their pink and white petals often appear in old poems and paintings, and in the Summer Palace they bloom with the same quiet elegance.
They flower from February 20 to March 20, , filling the gardens with a soft fragrance. I usually enter through the Ruyi North Gate (北如意门) or North Palace Gate (北宫门) and walk toward the Houxi River (后溪河). This area feels hidden, far from the main crowds. The winding paths, with Wanshou Mountain rising behind, make me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.
Along the Houxi River, plum trees mix with peach, lilac, and forsythia. Together, they create a layered landscape of color and scent. By mid-March, the blossoms are at their peak. I love pausing at Xiequ Garden (谐趣园) or near Yiyun Gate (宜芸门), where the branches bend gracefully over the water.
For me, this is one of the top places to see plum flowers in the Summer Palace. Walking these paths feels like wandering inside a living painting, where every step carries a trace of poetry.
3) Best Spots to See Magnolia Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Magnolias (玉兰花) are the ballerinas of spring. Their petals stand tall like tiny white and purple cups, elegant and pure. When they bloom, the air feels brighter, almost lifted by their grace.
They flower from March 10 to April 10, bringing one of the most magical moments of the season. My favorite place to see them is Leshou Hall (乐寿堂), inside the Qingyi Garden (清漪园) section of the Summer Palace.
This hall has a story. Built by Emperor Qianlong, it was meant as his retirement retreat, with Wanshou Mountain behind and Kunming Lake in front. He chose well—this corner feels peaceful, regal, and perfectly framed by nature.
It was also Qianlong who ordered magnolia trees to be transplanted here from the south. Imagine it: centuries ago, these very blossoms were already admired by emperors. Today, when I stand beneath them, their branches heavy with white and purple blooms, I feel a quiet connection with history. Against red walls and turquoise tiles, the contrast is breathtaking.
For me, Leshou Hall is one of the best spots to see magnolia blossoms in the Summer Palace. On a clear spring morning, it feels almost like stepping into a dream.
4) Top Spots to See Peach Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Peach Blossoms (桃花) are the very spirit of romance. Their soft pink petals float like clouds, turning every corner into a dreamscape of springtime bloom.
They appear from March 20 to April 10, and for me, this is when the Summer Palace feels most alive. I always begin at the West Dike and its Six Bridges (西堤六桥). Here, the peach trees lean gently toward Kunming Lake, their branches mirrored in the rippling water. The reflections shimmer like watercolor brushstrokes.
With the right angle, you can frame blossoms against the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, or even the distant Yu Feng Pagoda (玉峰塔). The results are unforgettable—romantic portraits or landscapes filled with depth. Even when visitors gather here, the peach trees create enough foreground and background that photos still feel private.
I also love wandering into Xiequ Garden (谐趣园), where blossoms cluster quietly among winding paths. The atmosphere here is softer, more hidden, almost like stumbling into a secret spring painting.
For me, these are the Ideal location to see peach flowers in the Summer Palace. When they bloom, the gardens turn tender, poetic, and endlessly photogenic.
5) Best Places to See Wild Pear Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Wild pear blossoms (杜梨花) in the Summer Palace always feel like a secret gift of springtime. They bloom briefly in April, only about ten days, but in that short time their beauty is unforgettable.
You’ll find them near the Marble Boat, on both sides of Xing Bridge (荇桥). Just four trees stand here, yet when they flower, the entire scene feels transformed. Their white petals are tiny, but they bloom densely, covering every branch in layers of soft clouds.
Up close, the blossoms reveal pale yellow stamens, glowing gently in the spring light. From a distance, they look like drifting snowflakes caught midair. Some branches stretch upward, others bend low or twist outward, each one reaching hungrily for sunlight. Together, they create a canopy that feels alive with movement.
For me, this quiet corner by the Marble Boat is one of the prime places to see wild pear flowers in the Summer Palace. Their flowering may be short, but the memory lingers like spring itself—bright, tender, and fleeting.
6) Best Photo Spots for Prunus Triloba Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Prunus triloba blossoms (榆叶梅) always make me smile. Their blooms are small, round, and clustered so tightly they look like pink popcorn balls. They’re playful, cheerful, and impossible to ignore during springtime flowering.
These blossoms usually appear in March 25 and last until April 14. By then, the Summer Palace is already alive with color, but the arrival of these little pink clusters always feels extra joyful.
My favorite place to see them is around Bin Feng Bridge (豳风桥) on the West Dike (西堤). Here, the blossoms burst out along the paths, creating a tunnel of pink that feels almost whimsical. I often stop and frame them against the gentle curves of the bridge or the quiet waters beyond. The contrast of soft petals with stone and wood makes the scene especially photogenic.
For me, this area is one of the best photo spots for Prunus triloba blossoms in the Summer Palace. The flowers may not have the grandeur of magnolias or peonies, but they bring something different—pure joy, a reminder that spring is meant to be playful too.
7) Best Photography Spots for Cherry Blossoms in the Summer Palace
Cherry blossoms (樱花) in the Summer Palace don’t shout for attention. They bloom with a softer, more graceful charm—quieter than Japan’s famous sakura, yet no less moving. When the breeze comes, petals fall like snow, covering the paths in fleeting beauty.
They bloom from March 20 to April 25, and each stage feels different. Early blossoms blush in pale pink, light as whispers. Mid-season brings dense clouds of white, layered and bright. By late spring, double blossoms unfold in rich clusters, like silk embroidery. Together, they feel like the entire season pressed into delicate petals.
I love entering from the Ruyi North Gate (北如意门) and strolling toward the West Dike (西堤). Along the way, blossoms frame bridges like Jing Bridge and Lian Bridge, where flowers and architecture meet in one perfect scene. To the left rise the rolling Xiangshan Mountains. To the right, Kunming Lake sparkles under the branches.
For quieter moments, I wander into Xiequ Garden (谐趣园) or along the Houxi River (后溪河), where fewer visitors linger. There, the blossoms feel almost private.
These paths, to me, are the best photography spots for cherry blossoms in the Summer Palace—romantic, timeless, and unforgettable in springtime bloom.
8) Best Places to See Lilac Flowers in the Summer Palace
Lilacs (丁香花) in the Summer Palace are like spring’s own perfume. Their blossoms cluster into soft white or purple spheres, filling the air with fragrance. It’s no wonder people call them the “perfume bottle of spring.”
They bloom from April 5 to April 25, and I always wait for this moment. The best time to see them is in the early morning, when the air is cool and the gardens are quiet.
One of my favorite places is the back slopes of Wanshou Mountain (万寿山). The path here feels hidden, almost secret. On both sides, lilacs bloom in neat rows. Most are white, glowing softly in the shade, while a few purple ones peek through, adding depth and surprise.
I once walked this path at dawn. The blossoms were just opening, and the scent floated gently in the air. The stillness of the mountain, the faint color of the sky, and the lilacs together created a scene so serene that I lingered long after I planned to leave.
For me, these shaded trails are among the best spots to view lilac flowers in the Summer Palace. They don’t dazzle with drama—they charm with quiet grace, a beauty you carry with you long after spring ends.
9) Best Places to See Chinese Flowering Crabapple in the Summer Palace
Crabapple blossoms (海棠花) are among my favorites in spring. Their petals blush from pale white to soft pink, layered like a shy smile. To me, they always feel youthful, almost like the face of spring itself. No wonder photographers adore them.
The bloom usually lasts from April 10 to April 25, and it’s worth every step to chase them. My first stop is always the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁寿殿 Renshou Hall). When the crabapples here begin to open, it feels like spring announcing itself.
But the real magic lies in three other places. Along the Long Corridor, blossoms weave perfectly with painted beams and ancient roofs. Walking there feels like slipping into a scroll painting. From the Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁), the view is grander—you can look down and see waves of crabapple blossoms spreading across the gardens. And by the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, blossoms lean over the water, their reflections rippling like living poetry.
For me, these are the best places to see Chinese flowering crabapple in the Summer Palace. Each spot tells its own story, but together they create the most romantic chapter of spring.
10) Best Photography Spots for Peony Flowers in the Summer Palace
Peonies (牡丹花) have always taken my breath away. In China, they are the “king of flowers.” Bold, lush, and impossibly grand, they bloom with the richness of an oil painting. Their colors—crimson, pink, white, and even gold—seem to glow under the spring sun.
The season runs from 15 April to 5 May, and I always try to catch them at their peak. My first stop is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁寿殿 Renshou Hall). On both sides, peonies spill out in waves of color, their heavy blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. Standing there, I often imagine how emperors once admired the very same blooms.
Then, I make my way to the National Flower Terrace (国花台 Guohua Tai) near the Hall of Dispelling Clouds (排云殿 Paiyun Hall). This is where the peony’s royal status feels most alive. Here, the flowers stand tall and radiant, framed by imperial halls. Together, they create a scene of power and elegance—peonies embodying prosperity, palaces embodying history.
For me, these spots are the best photo destinations for peony flowers in the Summer Palace. Every spring, they remind me that beauty can be bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
11. Best Photo Spots for Wisteria in the Summer Palace
Wisteria (紫藤花) is pure romance. Its blossoms cascade like purple waterfalls, swaying gently in the breeze. Standing beneath them feels like stepping into a dream, the air scented with sweetness. It’s no wonder wisteria is one of my favorite flowers to photograph.
They bloom from late April to mid-May, just as spring deepens. The most unforgettable place to see them is along the Long Corridor (长廊). Stretching 728 meters from the Inviting the Moon Gate (邀月门) to the Stone Old Man Pavilion (石丈亭), it’s already one of the Summer Palace’s icons. But in wisteria season, the corridor transforms. Purple blossoms cling to the red wooden trellises, spilling down in graceful clusters. Royal architecture and wild blossoms together—an extraordinary sight.
I also love the wisteria in front of Yongshou Zhai (永寿斋), once the residence of the eunuch Li Lianying. The vines there hang in heavy strands, shimmering in the light as they sway. At the west end of the Long Corridor, more wisteria wait quietly, a little less crowded and equally photogenic.
For me, these are the best photography spots for wisteria in the Summer Palace. They capture both elegance and whimsy—imperial history softened by spring’s most romantic bloom.
🌸 Walking Routes for Summer Palace Spring Blossoms
Exploring the Summer Palace in spring feels like following a living map of color. Each path tells a different story, and together they form a perfect journey through the Summer Palace Spring Blossoms.
One of my favorite routes begins at the East Palace Gate (东宫门). I walk toward Leshou Hall (乐寿堂), where magnolias bloom in dazzling clusters. During Qianlong’s time, they called this sea of blossoms the “Ocean of Jade Fragrance.” Nearby, an ancient magnolia by the Inviting the Moon Gate (邀月门) is worth a stop. It was once named one of Beijing’s ten most beautiful old trees—and it still holds that quiet dignity.
For a more hidden trail, I slip in from the Ruyi North Gate (北如意门) and wander along the Houxi River (后溪河). This path feels secluded, lined with plum blossoms, peach trees, lilacs, and forsythia. In mid-March, the plums here are at their peak, glowing softly near Xiequ Garden (谐趣园) and Yishou Hall (益寿堂).
When peach season arrives, I often enter from the South Ruyi Gate (南如意门). From there, I stroll along Kunming Lake and the West Dike (西堤), crossing bridge after bridge. Each step offers new angles, new reflections, and more time to savor the rhythm of the Summer Palace Spring Blossoms.
Friends, spring in the Summer Palace is more than just a season. It’s a symphony where nature and culture blend perfectly. Blossoms frame pavilions, petals drift across lakes, and every step feels like walking inside a painting.
A few tips before you go: wear comfortable shoes, bring water and snacks (food inside can be pricey), and use a flower-blooming app to track peak times. Beijing’s spring weather changes quickly, so a light jacket is always wise.
And most importantly—don’t just see the flowers. Photograph them, breathe their fragrance, and share your moments. Let your pictures tell the story of the Summer Palace Spring Blossoms, so their beauty travels far beyond Beijing.
Until then, I’ll be waiting for next spring, camera in hand. See you among the blossoms!
🌟Further Reading
How to Visit Summer Palace: Tickets, Maps, Routes, Eating & Tips
Summer Palace Fall Colors: Best Photo Spots for Autumn Foliage
How many entrances and exits to the Summer Palace? – Ruqin China Travel
