Boat ride to Summer Palace

The extravagant lakeside temples, monuments and palaces of the imperial summer residence out to the northwest are now on a metro line, but best reached by boat along Beijing’s network of canals and rivers, if you’re there between April 1 and October 31. Wave at stalled traffic as you pass through a metropolis that suddenly seems quiet and green. Board just east of Beijing Zoo, or in Purple Bamboo Park. Or take the Shangri-La Hotel’s deluxe version (book via beijing@shangri-la.com or +86 10 6841 2211).