In the tranquil northwest suburbs of Beijing, the 293-hectare Summer Palace awakens gently, enveloped in the soft morning mist. As the first rays of sunlight catch the glazed tiles of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, visitors begin to gather at the entrance of Renshou Hall. Among them, a young French woman attaches a compact Yingmi wireless audio guide to her canvas bag. As she adjusts the language setting, her hair lightly brushes against the intricately carved window lattice. Nearby, German architect Müller, notebook in hand, selects the “Architecture Expert Channel” on his device. Gone are the days when loud, paper guide maps dominated the scene. Now, most visitors carry these sleek, portable devices, strolling leisurely toward the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake. The Yingmi self-service tour system has been seamlessly integrated, offering tourists a deeply immersive sightseeing experience.
I.Addressing the “Tour Guide Dilemma”: Ensuring the Imperial Garden’s Stories Are Not Lost
Manager Wang from the operations department often reflects on the challenges previously faced in guiding tours: “We have over 20 key scenic spots, but our explanations were limited to Chinese and English, covering only about 10% of the core areas.” He recalls an instance when Professor Mark brought his students to study the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion and inquired about how the four eaves bear weight. Despite consulting three staff members, none could answer in German. The group resorted to searching on their smartphones but still couldn’t grasp the architectural nuance. Such predicaments were not uncommon and highlighted the long-standing issues the Summer Palace had been grappling with.
1.Bridging the Multilingual Gap: Making Garden Stories Accessible to All
The Summer Palace attracts a diverse array of international visitors: German scholars studying architecture, Arab tourists curious about imperial history, and French students fascinated by painted artworks. However, the needs of speakers of less common languages were often unmet, relying on translation apps and gestures. Last autumn, Salim, a visitor from the Middle East, wondered why Kunming Lake was shaped like a longevity peach. The staff could only explain in English that it was “a symbol of longevity,” but when Salim asked for whom the peaches were intended, they couldn’t provide further details. He later sketched a peach in the guestbook and wrote, “I want to know its meaning.” Recalling this, receptionist Xiao Li admits, “Seeing that drawing, I felt truly guilty.”
The translation of specialized terms posed another challenge. When Professor Mark asked about the “meticulous brushwork technique” used in the corridor paintings, his phone translated it as “fine brushwork,” leaving his students confused about which traditional Chinese painting technique this referred to. As they departed, one student remarked, “Such a beautiful story feels like watching a pantomime.” Manager Wang acknowledges, “Hearing that made me particularly uncomfortable.”
2.Empowering Independent Exploration: Freeing Visitors from Fixed Routes
International tourists often prefer to explore at their own pace, spending 20 minutes admiring a single painting in the Long Corridor or pausing to photograph Kunming Lake. Many wish to skip less interesting spots and head straight to the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion. However, traditional group tours follow fixed routes, with guides announcing, “Stop here for five minutes,” before hurrying visitors along. An elderly French visitor once shared, “Joining a tour group is like catching a train. Just as I found the beauty in the corridor paintings, I was pulled away to board a boat.”
Xiao Li vividly remembers a Japanese tourist who strayed from his group to take more photos of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. Unable to rejoin his group, he ended up following other guides and listening to fragmented explanations. “He told me, ‘I wanted to experience the tranquility of the imperial garden but spent the whole time searching for my group,'” Xiao Li recalls.
3.Ensuring Clarity Amidst Noise: High-Fidelity Audio for Outdoor Settings
With many outdoor scenic areas, the Summer Palace is often filled with the sounds of wind, boat engines, and conversations. Previous attempts using small megaphones were ineffective—either too loud for nearby visitors or too faint for those farther away. On one occasion, an American tourist asked about the “nine water channels” of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. The guide had to speak directly into his ear, leading others to mistake their interaction for an argument. “What’s more frustrating,” Manager Wang adds, “is that the old audio guides would often cut out outdoors. Just as I mentioned how the bridge openings reduce water resistance, the audio would freeze, leaving visitors to guess the rest.”
4.Simplifying Technology for Effortless Use
Earlier guide devices from other brands featured complex interfaces in Chinese, leaving international tourists struggling to operate them. Battery life was another issue, often lasting only four hours—insufficient for a full day of exploration. A Spanish tourist once found his device shutting down midway through his tour. He approached staff, asking, “Where can I charge this?” but eventually had to abandon the device and follow others. Xiao Li notes, “Such experiences highlighted the need for a more user-friendly solution.”
II.Yingmi’s Tailored Solution: A “Cultural Decoder” for the Summer Palace
To address these challenges, the Yingmi team conducted extensive research, observing visitor behavior and identifying key pain points. They collaborated with historians and translators to develop a system specifically designed for the Summer Palace’s unique needs.
1.Comprehensive Multilingual Support: Ensuring Every Story Is Perfectly Told
The system supports seven languages—Chinese, English, French, German, Arabic, Japanese, and Spanish—meeting the needs of 93% of international visitors. More importantly, the content is meticulously curated. For example, when describing the “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” painting in the corridor, the German version explains each deity’s ritual implements and symbolism in detail. Similarly, the French version elaborates on the longevity peach shape of Kunming Lake, linking it to Emperor Qianlong’s blessings for his mother.
When Professor Mark returned with his students this spring, they listened to the German explanations of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion while sketching structural diagrams in their notebooks. “Before, I could only guess,” Mark shared. “Now, I can even understand how the eaves’ curvature withstands wind. This surpasses my experience at the Berlin Museum!”
2.Centimeter-Level Positioning: Automatically Triggering Explanations
Invisible radio frequency tags are placed near each scenic spot. When visitors approach within one meter, the device automatically plays the relevant explanation without any manual input. For instance:
At the “Three Fights Against the White Bone Demon” painting, the guide softly prompts, “Vous regardez maintenant la peinture ‘Xiyouji'” (You are now viewing the ‘Journey to the West’ painting), before narrating the story.
By Kunming Lake, it introduces, “Ce lac a été créé pendant la dynastie Qing pour les loisirs de la famille impériale” (This lake was created during the Qing Dynasty for the imperial family’s leisure), before delving into the origins of the longevity peach shape.
Upon ascending the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, the device seamlessly switches to architectural themes, explaining the load-bearing principles of the four eaves.
Salim, exploring Kunming Lake with the device, remarked, “It’s like having a personal Chinese guide accompanying you.” Xiao Li adds, “During testing, the most surprising feature was the absence of cross-noise. Even when moving between the corridor and Paiyun Hall, the device only triggers at the intended spots.”
3.High-Fidelity Audio and Long-Lasting Battery: A Hassle-Free Experience
Equipped with a custom noise-canceling chip, the device ensures crystal-clear audio even in windy or noisy environments. During the National Day peak season, Xiao Li tested the device by Kunming Lake. As a cruise boat passed, the story of the longevity peach remained perfectly audible. An American tourist noted, “Previously, explanations were often drowned out by the wind. This time, I could finally listen in peace.”
The device’s temperature-resistant battery lasts up to 12 hours, comfortably covering a full day of exploration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weighing just 85 grams, it is lighter than most smartphones. “Previously, we had to charge each device individually,” explains Xiao Zhang, who oversees the equipment. “Now, with our centralized charging box, we can charge 50 devices simultaneously. The LED indicators make it easy to monitor the charging status, saving us significant time and effort.”
4.Intuitive Operation: Accessible to All Visitors
The interface is optimized for English, featuring only three buttons: language switch, volume control, and pause. Even elderly visitors can use it with ease. Salim selected Arabic mode within two minutes of his first use. “It’s even simpler than using my phone,” he said with a smile. “No translator needed.”
III. Measurable Impact: Stories of the Royal Garden Reach a Global Audience
Since its implementation six months ago, the system has delivered tangible results.
1.Extended Visitor Engagement
International visitors, who previously spent an average of two hours at the site, now often stay for four hours or more. About 50% repeatedly listen to explanations of the same spot, first in English to understand the history and then in their native language to reflect on the details. Manager Wang shares, “A Spanish tourist stayed an additional three hours just to listen to all the mural stories in the corridor. Before leaving, he said, ‘I’ll bring my family here next time.'”
2.Opening New Doors for Cultural Exchange
A French cultural institution, after listening to the corridor painting explanations, contacted the Summer Palace to propose a “Chinese Imperial Painting Art Exhibition.” Spanish tourism companies have also expressed interest in introducing the system to help local visitors learn about the Summer Palace’s culture in advance. “In the past, our garden culture could only be ‘seen,'” Manager Wang reflects. “Now, it can be ‘understood.’ This is what a world cultural heritage site should embody.”
IV.Yingmi’s Global Confidence: Enabling International Users with Trust
When asked why Yingmi devices outperform European counterparts, the answer lies in 15 years of accumulated expertise.
1.Internationally Recognized Certifications
Yingmi devices comply with European CE and ROHS standards, ensuring reliability across regions. A Dutch tourist, initially concerned about compatibility, was reassured after seeing the certifications. “With these, there’s definitely no problem,” he concluded.
2.Localized After-Sales Support
A dedicated service point in Beijing, located just 30 minutes from the Summer Palace, provides on-site assistance within an hour if needed. Additionally, 7×24 bilingual customer support is available. When Salim emailed at 1 a.m. about switching to Arabic, customer service responded with an instructional video within 30 minutes, clearly marking the Arabic button’s location.
3.Proven Global Experience
Yingmi has served prestigious institutions like the British Museum and Huawei’s overseas exhibition halls, familiar with the needs and behaviors of international users. “We chose Yingmi because they understand how to meet the demands of global tourists,” says Manager Zhang, responsible for overseas business.
Conclusion: Transcending Language Barriers, One Story at a Time
As evening descends on the Summer Palace, the setting sun bathes the Seventeen-Arch Bridge in a golden glow. Professor Mark, wearing his Yingmi guide, pauses before the final “Three Stars Shining” painting in the Long Corridor. The gentle German narration fills the air as he sketches the painting’s details, his face reflecting deep satisfaction.
The Yingmi self-guided tour system is more than an explanatory tool—it is a cultural bridge. It enables German scholars to appreciate the architectural wisdom of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, Arab tourists to grasp the symbolism of Kunming Lake’s longevity peaches, and French students to understand the stories behind the corridor murals. In the future, Yingmi plans to introduce AR features, allowing visitors to “see” the Qing Dynasty imperial family boating on Kunming Lake. Additional languages, such as Russian and Portuguese, will be added to reach even more global visitors.
After all, effective cultural transmission should not be hindered by language barriers. Yingmi is committed to dismantling these walls, ensuring that the royal stories of the Summer Palace resonate clearly with every visitor, everywhere. If you have similar needs, Yingmi is here to help.
FAQ
Q1: How does the automatic triggering feature work at scenic spots?
A1: Invisible radio frequency tags are placed near each spot. When visitors approach within one meter, the device automatically plays the relevant explanation without any manual input.
Q2: What makes the audio quality reliable in noisy outdoor environments?
A2: The device is equipped with a custom noise-canceling chip and high-fidelity headphones, effectively filtering out wind and boat sounds to ensure clear audio.
Q3: Is the device suitable for elderly or non-tech-savvy users?
A3: Yes, the interface is simplified to only three buttons (language switch, volume control, and pause), making it accessible for all age groups and technical skill levels.
Q4: How does Yingmi ensure the accuracy of specialized terms in multiple languages?
A4: All content is developed in collaboration with historical experts and senior translators, with each sentence carefully selected and translated for authenticity.
Q5: What support is available if the device encounters issues during use?
A5: Yingmi offers localized after-sales support in Beijing, with on-site assistance available within one hour. Additionally, 7×24 bilingual customer service is provided for immediate help.