Elong Hotel Hotels Near Yingshui Lanxiang

Beijing Yuanmingyuan Hotel is the top choice near the 'Ying Shui Lan Xiang' scenic area, blending Qing Dynasty imperial garden architecture with modern comfort. Its lakeside rooms offer direct views of the serene lotus ponds and classical pavilions, creating a tranquil retreat. The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Yuanmingyuan Garden entrance, perfect for early morning strolls along the water or evening visits during the illuminated garden events.

For a more intimate experience, consider staying at a heritage courtyard inn nearby—restored from traditional Beijing siheyuan homes. These guesthouses preserve original timber frames and brickwork, featuring private courtyards planted with orchids and lotuses that echo the theme of 'Ying Shui Lan Xiang'. Ideal for cultural travelers seeking authenticity.

The hotel is accessible via Line 4 of Beijing Metro ('Yuanmingyuan Station'), ensuring easy access to downtown. We recommend visiting during the night illumination festival to witness the historical site bathed in soft light, a truly magical experience.

The most convenient way from central Beijing is to take Line 4 of the Beijing Subway to 'Yuanmingyuan Station', then walk about 8 minutes to the entrance of the 'Ying Shui Lan Xiang' area. This route takes around 30 minutes with no transfers, ideal for travelers with luggage. For greater comfort, taxis or ride-hailing services (like Didi) are available—approximately 20 minutes and costing 40–60 RMB depending on traffic.

Additionally, free shuttle buses run daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, connecting major attractions within the park, including 'Ying Shui Lan Xiang', helping visitors avoid long walks. Use apps like Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps to search for 'Yuanmingyuan Shuttle Bus' for real-time schedules.

To avoid crowds, arrive before 10:00 AM when the park is quieter, the air is fresh, and natural lighting enhances photos of the lotus ponds and reflections in the water.

At Yuanmingyuan's 'Ying Shui Lan Xiang' zone, visitors can enjoy several unique intangible cultural heritage activities. Every Saturday afternoon features a traditional incense-making workshop, led by a master artisan, using fragrant ingredients like orchids and osmanthus grown within the garden—participants create personalized scent blends to take home.

Regularly scheduled classical poetry recitals are held on the lakeside pavilion, where poets perform works like the 'Yuanmingyuan Fu' accompanied by guqin music, evoking the elegance of Qing dynasty literati gatherings.

During summer, the nighttime lotus pond light show brings history to life through projection mapping, transforming the water surface into animated scenes of imperial gardens under Emperor Qianlong’s reign—an immersive audiovisual spectacle.

Families can also join the Junior Gardener Program, where children learn horticulture basics and plant their own lotus seedlings, tracking growth throughout the season—a fun, educational experience.

All events require advance HopeGoo via the official 'Yuanmingyuan' mini-program. To avoid peak seasons like National Day or Spring Festival, plan visits during mid-week or off-peak months for optimal enjoyment.

Beijing Yuanmingyuan Hotel is ideal for guests seeking proximity and elegance, located just a 5-minute walk from the scenic area. Its architecture blends classical Qing Dynasty design with modern comfort, and select rooms offer panoramic views of the lake and blooming gardens. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle buses to the main entrance, ensuring seamless access.

For budget-conscious travelers, Home Inn Business Hotel (Yuanmingyuan Branch) offers convenient access to the East Gate, with clean, well-appointed rooms and excellent value. Both options allow effortless immersion in the serene beauty of 'Yingshui Lanxiang', making them perfect bases for exploring this historic cultural gem.

Take Subway Line 4 to Xiyuan Station, exit through A2, then walk about 10 minutes to the East Gate of Yuanmingyuan—the most direct route. Alternatively, bus lines 331, 379, or 563 stop at "Yuanmingyuan South Gate," followed by an 8-minute walk. For drivers, use navigation to "Yuanmingyuan East Gate Parking Lot," though parking can be limited during peak seasons.

Inside the park, the electric sightseeing bus system covers major attractions including 'Yingshui Lanxiang.' With a ticket costing only ¥10, it allows visitors to enjoy the scenery without long walks—perfect for families or elderly guests seeking comfort and convenience.

At 'Yingshui Lanxiang,' visitors can enjoy traditional tea ceremonies performed by expert artisans, recreating the refined rituals of Qing Dynasty literati, enhanced by reflections on the lotus pond. Every Saturday evening features a nighttime light projection show, using cutting-edge technology to revive the garden’s imperial splendor, especially breathtaking during the summer bloom.

The park also offers costume photography services, providing authentic Qing Dynasty attire and professional guidance. Guests can capture personal moments as emperors or courtiers amid the lotus-covered waters—transforming the site from a mere landscape into an immersive historical journey.

Yes! The Family Nature Exploration Trail near 'Yingshui Lanxiang' features interactive panels explaining local flora and fauna. Children can learn about water surface tension by observing lily pads or dragonflies, turning nature into a living classroom.

During summer, the park hosts Lotus Lantern-Making Workshops—families can craft lotus lanterns together, light them with candles, and float them gently on the lake at dusk, symbolizing harmony and reunion. Additionally, weekly Lotus Concerts take place on the pavilion stage, featuring traditional instruments like guzheng and pipa, blending music, breeze, and fragrance for a truly poetic experience. All activities are free and highly recommended for family visits.

Guests staying at Beijing Yuanmingyuan Hotel or Home Inn Business Hotel (Yuanmingyuan Branch) receive priority entry passes with their room key, allowing bypassing queues at the East Gate. The hotel also operates complimentary shuttle buses departing twice daily—8:30 AM and 3:00 PM—for hassle-free transfers between the hotel and the park entrance.

Additionally, front desk staff can arrange guided tours with audio guides and expert commentary, focusing on the history, layout, and floral arrangements of 'Yingshui Lanxiang.' These personalized experiences transform casual visits into meaningful explorations of Qing Dynasty garden artistry.

In spring, magnolias and cherry blossoms burst into bloom, their delicate petals mirrored in the tranquil waters, creating a dreamlike scene. Summer brings the lotus festival, where thousands of lotuses fill the ponds, releasing a gentle fragrance and enhancing the evening light shows.

Autumn paints the garden in gold, as ginkgo trees turn vibrant yellow, casting stunning reflections across the lake—ideal for photographers. In winter, while flowers fade, snow-dusted pavilions and bare branches evoke a quiet, meditative beauty, capturing the essence of "solitary snow and empty pavilion." Each season reveals a different facet of 'Yingshui Lanxiang,' so plan your visit according to your preferred aesthetic—spring blooms, summer lotuses, autumn hues, or winter serenity.