Plan at a glance
Spring Garden and Summer Garden are two visiting areas
Hengdian New Yuanming Palace is in Hengdian Town, Dongyang, Jinhua, Zhejiang, and is divided into Spring Garden (New Yuanming Garden) and Summer Garden (New Changchun Garden). The two gardens have different entrances, visiting areas and movement needs. When navigating, enter “Hengdian New Yuanming Palace Spring Garden” or “Hengdian New Yuanming Palace Summer Garden” specifically.
Reference hours for both gardens are 08:30–16:30, with last entry at 16:00. Seasonal and operating changes may affect the actual arrangements. Confirm what is covered before buying a Hengdian pass or a Spring-and-Summer Garden combination ticket; do not assume access to both areas from the name of the attraction alone.
How much time to allow
Seeing only one garden takes about 4–5 hours. Spring Garden is large and suits a half-day or full-day themed visit. If you want to visit both in one day, plan separately for lunch and the transfer between them rather than compressing both into one short loop.
The site suits visitors interested in gardens, palace architecture, Western-style buildings and traditional-style photography. With older adults or children, judge the walking distance in Spring Garden first. Summer Garden is more concentrated but still needs 2–3 hours.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Palaces and gardens in Spring Garden
Spring Garden focuses on Zhengda Guangming Hall, Jiuzhou Qingyan and palace-garden spaces. It suits visitors who want to observe Qing-style architecture and the relationship between courtyards and squares. Traditional-style stage activities may be scheduled, but their content and timing change; the buildings can be visited independently.
Spring Garden is large. Visitors who want photographs of gates, stairs and palace squares should expect a long walk. Whether internal transport is available and where it stops depends on the day, so ask on entry before deciding to use it.
Western-style buildings in Summer Garden
Summer Garden focuses on Western-style landscapes such as the Grand Waterworks, the Twelve Bronze Animal Heads, Haiyantang and the Russian Church. The buildings are relatively concentrated and suit photography and a slower look at architectural details. The opening of fountains, lighting and temporary activities should be checked on the day; do not promise performances at fixed times.
Visitors interested in Chinese and Western gardens or architectural photography can choose Summer Garden. Those who want a larger palace-garden layout should choose Spring Garden. Each area has its own entrance, so consider transport and the direction of your return before deciding.
Build your day
A half-day route in Spring Garden
After entering Spring Garden, begin with Zhengda Guangming Hall and Jiuzhou Qingyan, then continue through the other palace-and-garden areas that are open that day before returning to the entrance. The garden is large, so schedule water and rest breaks instead of trying to walk every side path without stopping.
If the walking distance in Spring Garden is more than expected, finish the main palace route and do not add Summer Garden. Confirm your parking position and return method before leaving so that you are not searching for a pick-up after last entry has ended.
A half-day route in Summer Garden
From the Summer Garden entrance, visit the Twelve Bronze Animal Heads, the Grand Waterworks and Haiyantang in sequence. Then follow the Western-style buildings toward the Russian Church or Wuzhu Pavilion. Use public roads and open platforms for photographs, and take the original route around any maintenance or closed area.
Summer Garden requires less walking, but there is still sun exposure between buildings. Afternoon light changes quickly. Complete the priority buildings first, then leave time for the squares and water views.
Visiting both gardens in one day
If a shuttle between the two gardens is operating that day, visit Spring Garden in the morning and transfer to Summer Garden around midday. Confirm the shuttle route, service interval and stops on site. Without a suitable shuttle, recalculate the transfer by car or ride-hailing service; movement between the two gardens needs its own time allowance.
If you want to see both, start with the larger Spring Garden and decide how long to remain in Summer Garden based on your group’s energy. Performances, fountains and temporary activities are optional additions and should not push your return time too late.
Get there
High-speed rail, Hengdian Station and local transport
From Yiwu Station or Jinhua Station, reaching Hengdian by bus transfer or taxi usually takes about one hour. From Hengdian Station, the attraction is about 20 minutes by car. When you arrive, include Spring Garden or Summer Garden in the navigation destination because the two entrances are different.
When transferring from another Hengdian park, confirm the day’s shuttle and road arrangements first, then choose a ride-hailing car or an officially permitted local transport option. With older adults, children or photography equipment, include the walking distance from the drop-off point to the entrance.
Driving and parking
Spring Garden and Summer Garden have separate parking areas. Parking at Summer Garden is relatively convenient, while parking at Spring Garden is followed by a longer walk. Navigate directly to the garden you are visiting, then note the car’s position and the direction of the exit.
If you plan to visit both, first confirm whether you need to collect the car for the midday transfer. During holidays, vehicles, shuttles and crowds can all be concentrated at once, so allow extra time for the return.
Know before you go
Performances, fountains and discontinued programmes
Performances, fountains, lighting and temporary activities in both gardens change with the season and operations. The former live show *The Burning of Yuanmingyuan* is currently discontinued and should not be included in the day’s route. Check the programme after entry for other activities.
The two gardens may have different open areas and programmes. If a building or section is closed, stay on the public route and do not enter through a passage that staff have not authorised.
Walking, supplies and weather
Supplies are limited in Spring Garden, so bring water and simple food. Summer Garden also requires shade and rest breaks. Because the grounds are large, wearing flat, non-slip shoes is more useful than trying to find transport after becoming tired.
Summer heat, rain and strong winds all affect outdoor visits. If you encounter standing water, slippery steps or a temporary closure, change the order and leave any section that is no longer suitable for continued visiting.