New Yuanming Palace (圆明新园) is a stunning recreation inspired by the original Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing, which was tragically destroyed by fire. Built on a scale of 1:1, the palace features meticulously selected replicas of 18 of the 40 renowned landscapes from the original palace. Spanning an area of 1.39 square kilometers, it is nestled between mountains to the east, west, and north, while the southern side opens up to flat, expansive land.
The palace is divided into three main scenic areas: the Royal Architectural Complex, the Jiangnan Garden Architectural Complex, and the Western Architectural Complex. Although these structures are replicas, visitors can still appreciate the grandeur and majesty that characterize imperial gardens in China.
New Yuanming Palace has also hosted a variety of large-scale themed performances, including “The Vicissitudes of Yuanmingyuan” and “Pearl of the East.” Notable productions such as the panoramic dance epic “The Qing Dynasty” and the first domestic large-scale live water performance, “Battle of the Qing Seas,” have taken place here, showcasing the cultural richness and artistic talent of the region. Visitors to the palace can enjoy both its architectural beauty and the vibrant cultural events that celebrate China’s history.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of New Yuanming Palace
- Vlog about New Yuanming Palace
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0756-8610388 |
Location and Transportation
New Yuanming Park is located in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, specifically on the west side of the intersection of Lanpu Road and Baishi Road in the Xiangzhou District. To get there, you can take bus 1, 25, 30, 991, 992, B7, or G991 and get off at New Yuanming Park Stop (圆明新园站, Yuanming Xinyuan).
Highlights of New Yuanming Palace
Royal Architectural Complex
The first major scenic area of New Yuanming Palace is the Royal Architectural Complex, located along the central axis of the park. This area includes significant attractions such as Zhengda Guangming Hall and Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall. Zhengda Guangming comprises the Grand Palace Gate, Zhengda Guangming Hall, and the East and West Side Halls. The side halls function as the Yuanming Cangsang Historical Museum, where visitors can explore the construction history of the New Yuanming Palace through exhibits of photos, texts, and artifacts.
Zhengda Guangming Hall was historically the site where emperors handled state affairs, modeled after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, with a golden throne and screen that exude regal grandeur. Jiuzhou Qingyan features three main halls: the first hall showcases the Eight Banners military system and equipment of the Qing Dynasty; the second hall, the Hall of Unselfish Service, depicts Empress Dowager Cixi’s first instance of listening to state affairs through a curtain, along with the furnishings of the emperor and empress’s living quarters; and the last hall presents scenes of the crown prince studying in his study and the emperor dining.
Jiangnan Garden Architectural Complex
Exiting the majestic halls, visitors encounter the heart of the park – Fuhai Lake, with Peng Island (Yaotai) at its center. Surrounding the lake is the Jiangnan Garden Architectural Complex, the second scenic area of the palace. This section features attractions like Pinghu Qiuyue (Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake), Shifang (Stone Boat), Lianxi Music Pavilion, Shangxia Tianguang (Heavenly Light Above and Below), Quyuan Fenghe (Lotus in the Curve), and Wanfang Anhe (Peace of All Directions). Emperor Qianlong, enamored with the lakes and mountains during his six trips to Jiangnan, ordered these landscapes to be replicated within the garden.
Western Architectural Complex
The third scenic area is the Western Architectural Complex, which includes Haiyantang, Yuanyingguan, and Dashuifa. These structures are designed in the Baroque style of the European Renaissance, while also incorporating elements of Chinese architecture. The rooftops are adorned with traditional Chinese glazed tiles.
One of the highlights of Haiyantang is the pool in front of the hall, flanked by twelve beast-faced statues, representing the twelve zodiac signs. These statues take turns spraying water every hour, with all twelve zodiac signs spraying together at noon, serving a timekeeping function. The inclusion of the zodiac was a substitution for the originally designed nude statues, which Qianlong deemed inappropriate. On the second floor of Haiyantang, there is an art gallery showcasing various artistic works.
