The Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world and one of the largest of its kind still in existence in China today.
In 1750, Emperor Qianlong (who reigned from 1735 to 1796) ordered the rebuilding of the Garden of Clear Ripples (the original name of the Summer Palace) to celebrate his mother's 60th birthday.
As a local guide, I bring clients to visit the Summer Palace about 80 to 90 times a year. We not only witness the extravagant life of the imperial family but also marvel at the ingenious combination of man-made architecture with the scenic beauty of nature, showcasing the wisdom of skilled craftsmen.
I always tell my clients that the largest and most sumptuous gardens or palaces in Beijing were all imperial gardens, serving the emperor's family to demonstrate the supremacy of imperial power.
Hello, I am Lily. I have lived in Beijing for more than 18 years. I love this city and enjoy sharing its rich history and interesting stories with our clients. We discover unique food from local restaurants, and sometimes we share our life stories with each other like old friends. Looking forward to meeting you in Beijing.
Facts about the Summer Palace:
- Chinese: 颐和园
- Ticket Price: Admission is 30 RMB in peak season (Apr-Oct) and 20 RMB in off-peak (Nov-Mar)
- Opening Time: Peak season 06:00–20:00 (Last entry 19:00); Off-peak 06:30–19:00 (Last entry 18:00)
- Location: No. 19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 20 kilometers from the Forbidden City (a 30-minute drive)
- Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours
- Size: 2.9 square kilometers
- Age: 261 years (completed in 1764)
Content Preview
- What to Do
- Three Main Routes
- Best Time
- Transportation
- FAQs
- Old Summer Palace vs the Summer Palace
- Its History
What to Do in the Summer Palace
There are three scenic spots that I highly recommend: The Great Theatre, the Long Corridor, and the Dragon Boat.
The Great Theatre
The Great TheatreThe Great Theatre is where Empress Dowager Cixi enjoyed Peking opera. It took three years to complete, finishing in 1895, just in time for Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday celebration.
It stands 21 meters high and 17 meters wide, making it the largest of the three major theatres built during the Qing Dynasty. Few people visit, so it is quite peaceful.
The Long Corridor
The Long CorridorThe Long Corridor is 728 meters long and features 14,000 paintings, each depicting different stories from Chinese history, folklore, and legends.
In 1990, the Long Corridor was listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest painted corridor in the world.
The Dragon Boat Cruise
Our guests took a dragon boat cruiseI highly recommend the Dragon Boat because it offers beautiful views of the 200-hectare lake.
While sitting in the Dragon Boat, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Summer Palace and capture many unique photos and videos.
Tips:
The Dragon Boat service stops from November 8th until April.
There are two types of Dragon Boats: one is a straight-line boat that takes ten minutes from the Bronze Cow to the Marble Boat, while the other surrounds the lake and takes half an hour from the 17 Arch Bridge to the ship docks.
If time permits, I suggest the latter for more scenic views.
There are Three Main Routes to Visit the Summer Palace
There are four gates in the Summer Palace.
- The East Palace Gate:
- The North Palace Gate
- The Ruyi Gate
- The New Palace Gate
For first-time visitors, we usually suggest entering through the East Palace Gate or the New Palace Gate to experience the main attractions effectively.
If this is your second visit, you can consider the North Palace Gate or Ruyi Gate to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful visit. They are farther from the main attractions compared to East Palace Gate and New Palace Gate.
Please note, if you enter from the North Palace Gate, going straight requires climbing stairs. Alternatively, you can take a flat path by turning left or right at the archway.
1. The First Route:
This route takes 2.5 to 3 hours, suitable for those in good physical condition. It covers most parts of the Summer Palace.
East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Great Theatre → Hall of Happiness and Longevity → Long Corridor → Hall of Dispelling Clouds → Marble Boat → Dragon Boat → Southern Lake Island → 17 Arch Bridge → New Palace Gate.
If the boats are not operating in winter, or if you prefer not to take one, you can continue walking along the lakeside path from the Marble Boat and exit via Ruyi Gate instead.
When you arrive at the Hall of Dispelling Clouds, you can climb Longevity Mountain to reach the Tower of Buddhist Incense, where Empress Dowager Cixi used to worship.
A statue of Guanyin bodhisattva with a thousand hands and eyes is located on the first floor of the tower, which is also the highest point in the Summer Palace, offering a view of the entire Kunming Lake.
Overlooking Kunming Lake from the Tower of Buddhist Incense2. The Second Route:
This route takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is better suited for people aged 50 to 70.
New Palace Gate → Dragon Boat (10 minutes) → Long Corridor → Hall of Happiness and Longevity → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → East Palace Gate.
When you enter through the New Palace Gate and stand near the Bronze Cow, you can feel as if you are in a living scroll painting, surrounded by perfect and unrivaled beauty.
This is also my favorite route because it allows us to see the entire Summer Palace from the Bronze Cow and visit the most important sights, all while enjoying the Dragon Boat ride on the lake.
3. The Third Route:
This route takes 1 to 1.5 hours without the Dragon Boat in winter and is easier for wheelchair users and those who prefer not to walk much.
East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Heralding Spring Island (great for photos) → 17 Arch Bridge → New Palace Gate.
Heralding Spring Island is the best spot for photos of the lake and Longevity Hill.
In winter, if you are lucky, you may see the golden light shining through the hole of the 17 Arch Bridge.
The golden light is shining through the hole in the Summer Palace in Beijing.Best Time to Visit the Summer Palace
The best time to visit the Summer Palace is in spring (from late March to May) when there are fewer people and many flowers, such as magnolias, peach blossoms, and begonias, are in bloom.
The Summer Palace is in full flower bloom in springIn summer (June to August), there are fewer visitors in June, but many more in July and August due to school holidays in China. The weather is hot (35°C-40°C) and humid, but lotus flowers bloom along the lake, creating a beautiful scene.
Our guests visiting the Summer Palace in the summerAutumn (September to October) offers nice, cool weather for visiting the Summer Palace, with fewer crowds, except during the National Day holiday from October 1st to 7th.
In late October and early November, red and golden leaves decorate the gardens, adding warm color to the lake and historic buildings.
Willow Bridge in AutumnIn winter, it can be very cold (-5°C to -15°C) and windy, but there are fewer visitors. The most important sight in winter is the golden light shining through the hole (金光穿洞).
This phenomenon occurs at sunset through the 17 Arch Bridge, and many photographers wait nearby for this moment.
In January, when Kunming Lake freezes, skating is available on the ice, offering a rare seasonal experience inside the royal garden.
Kunming Lake Ice RinkHow to Get to the Summer Palace
Local residents prefer to take Subway Line 4 or public buses to the Summer Palace. The subway station is near the Northern Palace Gate, about a 7-minute walk away.
For foreigners, I suggest taking a private car or joining a private tour for convenience and time-saving. You can check our well designed Beijing tour itineraries for inspiration or contact us to tailor make a personal trip for you.
FAQ
1. Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
No, advance booking is not required. Foreigners can purchase tickets at the entrance by presenting a passport.
2. Is the Summer Palace closed on Mondays?
No. The park itself is open every day of the year.
However, four attractions included in the combined ticket — the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the Summer Palace Museum, and Suzhou Street — are closed on Mondays.
These are optional sites. You can still enjoy the main scenery and historic halls without them.
3. Are there any fun experiences inside the Summer Palace?
Yes. Beyond sightseeing, you can try a few special activities.
If you want to wear traditional costume clothing, there is a shop near the Pavilion of Heralding Spring that is easy to find.
Close to Ruyi Gate, the Gong Shi Ting Yi (宫事庭颐) Restaurant serves a royal-style afternoon tea inspired by Empress Dowager Cixi. It is set in a quiet courtyard, with staff dressed in traditional attire, offering a calm and elegant break during your visit.
4. Is the Summer Palace wheelchair-friendly?
Yes. Most areas around Kunming Lake are flat and accessible. Boats on the lake can also accommodate wheelchairs.
Longevity Hill, however, has many steps and is not suitable for wheelchair access.
Free wheelchairs are available inside the park on a first-come, first-served basis. If you book our private tour, we can reserve a wheelchair in advance, so you won't need to worry about availability on the day of your visit. A professional guide and private transportation can also be arranged.
5. Do I need a guide to visit the Summer Palace?
You can explore the Summer Palace on your own, especially if you are mainly interested in enjoying the scenery.
However, if you would like to understand the royal history and the symbolism of the architecture, a licensed professional guide can add much deeper insight.
Please note that "black" tour guides often linger outside and inside the East Palace Gate. They lack a guide's certificate and are unprofessional, often charging high prices. If you encounter them, please do not stop or engage in conversation.
What are the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace?
The Old Summer PalaceBoth the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) are imperial palaces from feudal society.
The Old Summer Palace was built in 1707 and served as a residence for the emperor. It is considered the second Forbidden City. However, it was destroyed by French and British soldiers in 1860 and has never been rebuilt.
The Summer Palace is where the emperor and empress enjoyed their summer holidays. It was also damaged by the French and British in 1860 but was rebuilt in 1888 and 1903.
Personally I more recommend the Summer Palace as there is more to see. If you have enough time and are truly interested in the history of what the French and British did, you can visit the Old Summer Palace or both.
Here is one of our most popular tour plans including the Summer Palace and we are ready to tailor-make a tour especially for you:
Summer Palace History: From Qing Dynasty to Modern China
Construction — began in 1750:
Emperor Qianlong ordered the construction of the Summer Palace to celebrate his mother's sixtieth birthday. The garden was built in 1750 and completed in 1764. At that time, it was not called the Summer Palace or even Yiheyuan, but Qingyiyuan (Clear Ripples Garden).
Burned — 1860:
In the late Qing Dynasty, due to the weakening of national power, the garden was gradually abandoned. In 1860, it was destroyed by British and French allied forces.
Rebuilt — 1886-1902:
Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt the garden as her summer retreat and renamed it the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), its current name.
Military expenditures were diverted for this reconstruction, contributing to the Qing government's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895. In 1900, it was destroyed again by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers during the Boxer Rebellion but was rebuilt in 1902.
Opened to the Public — 1914:
After the Qing Dynasty ended in 1912, the Summer Palace became the private property of the former imperial family. Two years later, it was opened to the public. In 1928, the Beijing municipal government took charge of the Summer Palace and turned it into a public park.