The Summer Palace

Reviews of Summer Palace Beijing

Want to visit Summer Palace Beijing? As one of the famous heritages of China, you can't miss this place. Read this article and know everything about Summer Palace including ticket prices, transportation, opening hours, location, map and routes.

About The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace was a royal imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the northwest of Haidian District, Beijing, China, covering an area of 297 hectares. The Summer Palace was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt during the Guangxu period. It was once one of the Three Hills and Five Gardens in the western suburbs of Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. The Summer Palace is renowned worldwide and represents the peak period of Chinese garden art. In 1998, the Summer Palace was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Summer Palace Ticket Price

• ​​Admission Ticket:​​
• • Peak Season: ¥30/ticket
  • Off-Season: ¥20/ticket
• ​​Combo Ticket (includes admission + garden attractions):​​
• • Peak Season: ¥60/ticket
  • Off-Season: ¥50/ticket
• ​​Individual Garden Attractions:​​
• • Garden of Virtue and Harmony: ¥5/ticket
  • Summer Palace Museum: ¥20/ticket
  • Tower of Buddhist Incense: ¥10/ticket
  • Suzhou Street: ¥10/ticket

Summer Palace Beijing

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Beijing must-visit

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Summer Palace Opening Hours & Location

Summer Palace Opening Hours​​

​​I. Park Operating Hours​​

• ​​Peak Season​​ (April 1 - October 31):
• • Open: 6:00
  • Last Entry: 19:00
  • Close: 20:00
• ​​Off-Season​​ (November 1 - March 31):
• • Open: 6:30
  • Last Entry: 18:00
  • Close: 19:00

​​II. Attraction Operating Hours​​

​​(1) Tower of Buddhist Incense, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Summer Palace Museum, Suzhou Street​​

• ​​Peak Season​​ (April 1 - October 31):
• • Open: 8:00
  • Last Entry: 17:30
  • Close: 18:00
• ​​Off-Season​​ (November 1 - March 31):
• • Open: 8:30
  • Last Entry: 16:30
  • Close: 17:00
    Note: These attractions are closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays).

​​(2) Jiqing Pavilion, Xiequ Garden, Yishou Hall, Qinghua Pavilion, Yulan Hall, Farming and Weaving Picture Water Training School, and courtyards on South Lake Island​​

• ​​Peak Season​​ (April 1 - October 31):
• • Open: 8:00
  • Close: 18:00
• ​​Off-Season​​ (November 1 - March 31):
• • Open: 8:30
  • Close: 17:00
    Note: Yishou Hall, Jiqing Pavilion, the courtyards on South Lake Island, and Farming and Weaving Picture Water Training School are closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays).

Summer Palace Map & Route

Source from China Tour

Covering a vast area with numerous attractions, the Summer Palace requires careful route planning for an efficient visit. Here are three classic itineraries for your reference:

​​Summer Palace | Route 1: Leisurely Highlights Tour​​

North Ruyi Gate → Picture of Mid-Autumn Moon Tour (画中游) → Tower of Buddhist Incense → Four Great Regions (四大部洲) → Suzhou Street → Exit at North Palace Gate

​​Features:​​ A leisurely route ideal for a quick highlights tour. It includes iconic structures like the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Four Great Regions, as well as Suzhou Street—a charming Jiangnan water town replica that immerses visitors in a southern Chinese atmosphere.

​​Summer Palace | Route 2: Comprehensive Coverage Tour​​

East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁寿殿) → Garden of Virtue and Harmony (德和园) → Hall of Jade Ripples (玉澜堂) → Hall of Cultivated Harmony (宜芸馆) → Hall of Joyful Longevity (乐寿堂) → Long Corridor → Hall of Dispelling Clouds (排云殿) → Tower of Buddhist Incense → Marble Boat → Boat ride to South Lake Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → Eastern Causeway of Kunming Lake → Garden of Harmonious Interests (谐趣园) → Exit at East Palace Gate

Features:​​ A comprehensive route covering the palace's major attractions, ideal for those with more time. It includes ancient structures, the painted Long Corridor, a panoramic view from the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and an essential boat ride on Kunming Lake.

​​Summer Palace | Route 3: In-Depth Experience Tour​​

North Palace Gate → Suzhou Street → Four Great Regions → Pavilion of the Seal of Buddhist Virtue (香岩宗印之阁) → Sea of Wisdom Temple (智慧海) → Tower of Buddhist Incense → Hall of Dispelling Clouds → Hall of Listening to Orioles (听鹂馆) → Picture of Mid-Autumn Moon Tour → Marble Boat → Long Corridor → Hall of Joyful Longevity → Garden of Virtue and Harmony → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Tower of Literary Glory (文昌阁) → Exit at East Palace Gate.

​​Features:​​ An in-depth exploration covering Suzhou Street, Four Great Regions, Longevity Hill, Long Corridor, and Marble Boat. This route offers a bird’s-eye view of Kunming Lake and a full immersion into the luxury of imperial garden design.

How to Get to Summer Palace

1. ​​By Subway (Recommended)​​
2. • ​​Line 4​​: Take the subway to ​​Xiyuan Station (西苑站)​​. Use Exit C2 and walk about 500m east to the ​​East Palace Gate​​.
   • ​​Line 4​​: Alternatively, go to ​​Beigongmen Station (北宫门站)​​. Use Exit D and walk about 300m west to the ​​North Palace Gate​​.
   • Tip: The subway is the fastest and most reliable way to avoid Beijing's traffic.
2. ​​By Public Bus​​
   Numerous buses stop near the various gates of the Summer Palace. Key routes include:
3. • ​​To East Gate (Main Gate)​​: Buses 303, 331, 332, 346, 384, 394, 563, 584, 594
   • ​​To North Gate​​: Buses 303, 331, 332, 346, 384, 394, 563, 584, 594
   • Look for stops named "​​Yiheyuan​​".
3. ​​By Taxi or Ride-Hailing (Didi)​​
4. • Simply show the driver the Chinese name: ​​颐和园​​.
   • For the most common entrance, ask for the ​​East Gate​​.
   • Note: This can be more expensive and is subject to traffic congestion, especially on weekends.

Best Time to Go to Summer Palace

What to Do & See in Summer Palace

Summer Palace | Longevity Hill​

• ​​Prominent landscape feature​​ with famous architectural complexes
• ​​Key structures​​: Tower of Buddhist Incense, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Jade Ripples, Hall of Cultivated Harmony
• ​​Built harmoniously along slopes​​ for picturesque views
• ​​Climb the Tower of Buddhist Incense​​ for panoramic views of entire palace

​​Summer Palace | Kunming Lake​

• ​​Central attraction​​, covering ​​¾ of total area​​
• ​​Renowned for​​: Vast water surface, serene environment, historical significance
• ​​Activities​​: Lakeside strolls, boat rides
• ​​Highlights​​: Beautiful scenery, mysterious garden architecture

​​Summer Palace | Long Corridor​

• ​​One of the longest covered walkways globally​​ (728 meters)
• ​​Masterpiece of traditional Chinese architectural art​​
• ​​Decorations​​: Colorful paintings, carvings, engraved pillars with patterns/poems
• ​​Experience​​: Leisurely walk while enjoying lake and hill views

​​Summer Palace | Hall of Joyful Longevity​

• ​​Qing Dynasty palace-style building​​ (Qianlong era)
• ​​Historical use​​: Imperial resting palace → Empress Dowager Cixi’s summer retreat
• ​​Features​​: Luxurious furnishings, exquisite decorations
• ​​Represents royal grandeur​

​​Summer Palace | Other Attractions​​

• Palace-style structures​​: Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Jade Ripples, Hall of Cultivated Harmony
• ​​Bridges​​: Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Jade Belt Bridge (each unique)
• ​​Natural landscapes​​: Lotus Pond, South Lake Island
• ​​Ideal for​​ extended exploration beyond main highlights

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