Ultimate Guide to the Summer Palace in Beijing

The Summer Palace in Beijing is one of China's most renowned royal gardens and a masterpiece of landscape design. It offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Qing Dynasty emperors. Apart from its historical meaning, with its exquisite natural scenery, historic architecture, and cultural significance, the Summer Palace is also a good choice to escape from the city.

This guide provides everything you need to know about this most iconic imperial garden.

Basic Facts of Summer Palace

Summer Palace

• Location: Haidian District of Beijing, about 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) away from the city center (around the Forbidden City).
• History: It was originally constructed in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty by Emperor Qianlong as a retreat from the summer heat. Nowadays, the Summer Palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical and cultural significance.
• Size: It covers approximately 290 hectares (720 acres), with a large portion consisting of Kunming Lake and the Longevity Hill.
• Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 18:00 pm (7:00 am to 17:00 in winter)
• Entrance Ticket: 30 RMB (about 4 USD)

Map and Sightseeing Route of Summer Palace

Summer Palace half-day route

The Summer Palace is at least twice the size of the Forbidden City. To help you save time and see the highlights within a short visit, we've designed a half-day tour route. These highlights are all marked on the map, and each one is introduced in the following passages.

The half-day route: North Gate - Suzhou Street - Hall of Benevolence and Longevity - Summer Palace Museum - Heralding Spring Pavilion - Long Corridor - Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha - Clear and Peaceful Boat - Take a Boat on Kunming Lake - Seventeen-Arch Bridge - New Palace Gate

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Top 9 Highlights in Summer Palace

Following the map above, you can visit the nine most popular and worthwhile attractions in the Summer Palace.

Since the whole complex was once destroyed and later rebuilt, some of the palaces remain in ruins while others have been restored, consider traveling with us, where we will arrange a professional English-speaking guide to explain each attraction you encounter, answering your questions while enriching your knowledge of its history.

Suzhou Street

Chinese: 苏州街

Designed to mimic a traditional Chinese water town, Suzhou Street features shops and market stalls, adding a touch of local culture and history to the palace grounds. Actually, the emperors and empresses would pretend to go shopping as common people in this street.

Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

Chinese: 仁寿殿

Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled court affairs during their stay here. Which means it was the main government building in the Summer Palace. The meaning of "仁寿" in its Chinese name originates from the phrase "仁者寿(Ren Zhe Shou)" in the Analects of Confucius, which means "the benevolent live long."

Summer Palace Museum

Chinese: 颐和园博物馆

It was right next to the Wenchang Gallery. You may pay an extra 20 RMB (about 3 USD) for this excursion. The hall houses many collections from the Summer Palace, most of which date back to the late Qing Dynasty and bear the marks of Empress Dowager Cixi. These items provide insights into Cixi's luxurious life and emotional expression. There are also some foreign artifacts, acquired through official purchases, birthday tributes, and diplomatic gifts, reflecting the domestic and foreign affairs of the late Qing period.

Heralding Spring Pavilion

Sunset at the Heralding Spring Pavilion

Chinese: 知春亭

The position of this pavilion permits a privileged view of spring's arrival. The Heralding Spring Pavilion provides the best overall view of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. You can easily observe the season changes in the Summer Palace by sitting here. That's why it was named Heralding Spring Pavilion.

Long Corridor

The Long Corridor

Chinese: 长廊

The Long Corridor is a covered walkway that stretches over 700 meters, adorned with thousands of colorful paintings depicting scenes from Chinese folklore, history, and daily life. It starts from Inviting the Moon Gate in the east and ends at Shizhang Pavilion in the west.

When you walk along the corridor, you will see more than eight thousand colorful paintings on the beams. All are stories from classical Chinese novels and folk tales, as well as flowers and landscapes. If you're traveling with an experienced guide, he or she could explain all the meaning behind those paintings to help improve your understanding of Chinese history.

Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha

The gate of the tower

Chinese: 佛香阁

This tower is octahedral with three floors and stands majestically atop Longevity Hill. It rises 41 meters (135 feet) high and is positioned as the focal point of the palace complex. From here, Empress Dowager Cixi and other members of the royal family would often pray and make offerings. However, due to the absence of elevators and the long, steep stairs, if you have limited mobility, it is recommended to skip this highlight.

Clear and Peaceful Boat (Marble Boat)

Marble Boat

This elegant boat was first called the Marble Boat. It was made of marble, 36 meters in height. This boat is actually a pavilion shaped like a boat and cannot sail on the water.

Take a Boat on Kunming Lake

Boats on the Kunming Lake

This large artificial lake covers about 2.2 square kilometers and is the central feature of the Summer Palace. You can take a boat ride on the lake to enjoy views of the surrounding gardens and architecture and reach South Lake Island on this lake.

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

This iconic bridge features 17 arches and is adorned with decorative lion sculptures. It links the east bank and the South Lake Island of the Summer Palace. You will find more then 500 stone lions carved on the posts of the bridge railings. It's the longest bridge in all the Chinese gardens, including imperial and southern Chinese gardens.

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Best Time to Visit the Summer Palace

Ride ice bicycles on the frozen lake

The Summer Palace is a destination that can be visited year-round, so the best time to visit depends on your seasonal preferences and personal holiday schedule. However, while the scenery is beautiful in every season, each one has its own distinct characteristics.

Spring (March to May): Spring is an ideal time to visit as the gardens come alive with blooming flowers, and the weather is pleasant.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn offers cool temperatures and stunning fall foliage, making it a beautiful time to explore the palace grounds.

Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak season; it can be crowded and hot. However, the view in summer might be better than in spring, because all the lotus flowers will bloom and the trees will flourish more.

Winter (December to February): At the end of the year, the whole Kunming Lake will freeze and become a natural skiing resort. If you're interested in activities, like skiing, ice biking, you will have a good day in the Summer Palace in winter.

How to Get to the Summer Palace

Admire lotus flowers in Summer Palace

With the recommended half-day route above, you will start from the North Gate and finish your journey at the New Palace Gate.

To reach the starting point, take Metro Line No. 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station. And then, exit from Gate D and take a 5-minute walk to the North Gate.

To leave this site from the New Palace Gate, you can either take a bus or a taxi to Xi Yuan Station of Metro Line No. 4.

If you travel with us, we will provide exclusive cars that will drive you to the starting point and wait for you at New Palace Gate. This will save more time and you won't be bothered by crowds on public transportation.

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Travel Tips

The Bronze Ox near the Seventeen-Arch Bridge

• Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Summer Palace covers a large area with extensive walking paths, so comfortable footwear is essential.
• Bring Sun Protection: In summer, the sun can be strong. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself.
• Visit Early or Late: To avoid the crowds, visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The palace is less crowded, and you can enjoy a more peaceful experience.
• Check for Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour to learn about the history and significance of the various structures and artworks within the palace. Contact us for exclusive English-speaking guides.
• Camera and Photography: The Summer Palace offers excellent opportunities for photography. If you're a photographer, get ready to capture the scenic beauty and intricate details.

Plan Your Beijing Tour With Us

Beijing is one of the cities in China with the richest historical heritage. If you're interested in Chinese history, there are many other attractions to explore, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall.

We can customize a route for you that saves time and effort, including private transportation, an exclusive English-speaking guide, and carefully selected hotels.