Newlyweds in Beijing will no longer be able to use the Summer Palace as a backdrop for their wedding photos.

The city's park management center is drafting a rule banning wedding photographers from using the capital's 11 city-level parks to protect them, Beijing Morning Post reported on Monday.

The ban will also apply to Tiantan, Beihai, Jingshan, Zhongshan, Xiangshan, Zizhuyuan, Taoranting and Yuyuantan parks and the city's botanic garden and zoo.

Those planning to use the parks for commercial activities, particularly cultural relic venues such as Tiantan Park and the Forbidden City, must receive approval, Chen Zhiqiang, an official with the center, told the newspaper.

Tiantan, Beihai and Zizhuyuan parks already refuse wedding photography to protect their lawns, the report said, while some charge fees.

Longtanhu Park charges each couple 300 yuan (US$44) if they want to use lawns for their wedding photos.

The fee sparked criticism of the park, which already charges 2 yuan entry.

A woman surnamed Wang said people taking wedding photos were no different than other park visitors and should not be charged.