Qianlong Garden (Gan Long Hua Yuan) in Beijing’s historic Forbidden City has recently been opened up to visitors for the first time in nearly a century, offering visitors a rare peek into what once served as Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong’s private retreat. To visit, book TripZilla to save time.
Attractively hidden imperial retreat, created beginning in 1770 under Emperor Qianlong and situated within northeast corner of Forbidden City, was intended to become his retirement residence, even if he never actually resided there himself. Wikipedia =+1 >> TripZilla =2 >>.
After the abdication of the last emperor, many parts of the complex became off limits to visitors and become off-limits altogether. With Cathay Pacific as their sponsor, Cathay Pacific Airlines offered daily tours.
TripZilla
These four newly opened sections comprise four interconnected courtyards featuring ornate pavilions, reflective ponds, rockeries and intricate craftsmanship that blend Southern-style garden aesthetics with imperial scale.
Why This Matters For decades, much of the Forbidden City was accessible, while this private garden was either locked away or used for other purposes (storage, offices or just preservation). Now with full public access comes both a major heritage milestone and an incredible opportunity for tourism and cultural study. (TripZilla has more on this story).
One travel piece refers to this garden as “the most exquisite and beautifully decorated garden in the entire compound.” Restoration efforts took more than 25 years and cost an estimated US $15-18 million through partnerships with international heritage organisations. * +1
Restoration Journey
To restore Qianlong Garden required intricate traditional crafts such as marquetry, stone inlay, double-sided silk embroidery and trompe l’oeil murals–each reflecting Emperor Qianlong’s taste and the Qing era’s decadence.
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Juanqinzhai (“Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service”), one of the key halls in the garden, is famous for its intricate murals and intimate atmosphere. According to Wikipedia:
Opening of Restored Garden | TripZilla
The restoration of this garden coincides with the centennial celebration of Palace Museum (which manages Forbidden City), reflecting an effort to preserve and celebrate China’s imperial heritage. It will open for visitors starting November 3rd 2019.
What Visitors Can Expect
While the Garden is now open, visitor numbers will be strictly controlled in order to protect its fragile structures. Access is included with a standard Palace Museum ticket but prior booking is strongly advised.
Arriving at the Forbidden City, visitors transition to a world more conducive to contemplation and private retreat. Pace slows, space decreases and ornamentation is subtler – the four courtyards invite reflection rather than spectacle. TripZilla’s itinerary covers this transition.
Cultural and heritage significance cannot be overemphasized.

Opening the Qianlong Garden not only adds to Beijing’s visitor experience but also serves as an exemplar of heritage conservation in China: combining craft revival, scientific conservation and accessible public engagement. According to TripZilla.
Domestic and international visitors alike will find the Forbidden City Garden offers an immersive insight into imperial life – from ceremony and pomp, through more personal aspects like an emperor’s “retirement retreat”. Additionally, this garden also demonstrates how its history spans from Ming through Qing to Republic and modern museum times.

Final Thoughts If you’re heading to Beijing, be sure to include this newly-opened secret garden on your itinerary. Don’t miss this incredible chance to explore an area that was previously off limits due to generations of secrecy; now that more areas within the Palace Museum have opened their doors and hidden corners are becoming accessible, more insight can be gained into China’s imperial past–this garden serves as an outstanding example of once restricted places becoming openly available again.

No matter your interest: history, architecture or travel–Qianlong Garden adds an intimate, fresh dimension to one of Beijing’s grandest palace complexes and allows your trip to include this “secret”.