The Summer Palace is a significant landmark, once rivaling the Forbidden City (now the Palace Museum) in historical importance. Originally a secondary palace during the late Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace carries a rich legacy of China’s royal history.
The Summer Palace is more than just a royal residence. Empress Dowager Cixi and the Qing emperors managed state affairs, received accolades, and met with foreign envoys here. This site witnessed major historical events and diplomatic interactions that shaped its heritage.
Additionally, the Summer Palace showcases the pinnacle of classical Chinese architecture. Its design reflects the essence of traditional Chinese gardens and architectural techniques. As the largest imperial garden in Beijing, it has become an ideal retreat for visitors to experience the profound history and serene beauty.
In this guide to touring the Summer Palace, you will learn how to visit and explore this magnificent site, immersing yourself in its historical and cultural significance. A visit here is not just a tour of a royal estate but a journey into the heart of traditional Chinese culture and art.
Tip 1: How to Plan Your Visit Generally, a tour around the Summer Palace takes 2 to 3 hours. Including travel time within the city, it’s recommended to set aside at least half a day for your visit. The Summer Palace offers different scenic views in various seasons.
In winter, people ski on Kunming Lake; in spring, they breathe in the fresh air under blooming trees and flowers; in summer, the Summer Palace is often shrouded in mist, resembling a beautiful Chinese landscape scroll painting; autumn is the best time for a leisurely stroll, with clear blue skies and comfortable weather.
Tip 2: How to Get to the Summer Palace The Summer Palace is located about 15 kilometers northeast of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Address: No. 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing Phone: 62881144 Fax: 62881077
（Summer Palace about 20 km by drive to the northeast of Tiananmen Square）
The Summer Palace has three main entrances:
- East Gate (Main Entrance), also known as “Donggongmen”
- North Gate, also known as “Beigongmen”
- South Gate, also known as “Xingongmen”
（The Three Entrance Gates and Subway Line 4 & 16 Map ( Bing)）
Taking the Subway
- Beigongmen Station (North Gate)
- Take Line 4 towards the northwest direction and get off at the second-to-last stop, Beigongmen Station (North Gate). Exit from Exit D, walk west, and you’ll quickly see the North Gate of the Summer Palace (Beigongmen) on your left.
- Donggongmen (East Gate)
- Take Line 4 or Line 16, get off at Xiyuan Station, exit at C2, and walk about 870 meters to reach Donggongmen (East Gate).
- South Gate (Xingongmen)
- Take Line 10 to the terminus, Bagou Station. From there, you can take a taxi to the South Gate, also known as Xingongmen, or walk approximately 2.9 kilometers to the gate.
- After getting off at Bagou Station, follow your nose until you see a river, then turn right and walk along the riverbank until you reach Xingongmen.
- If you’re unsure of where to go after exiting the subway, just follow the crowd.
Public Bus
- East Gate to the Main Entrance (Donggongmen): Bus routes 330, 331, 332, 346, 394, 712, 718, 726, 732, 737, 801, 808, 817, 826.
- North Gate (Beigongmen): Bus routes 303, 330, 331, 346, 375, 384, 393, 634, 716, 718, 737, 801, 808, 817, 834, Express Line 5.
- South Gate (Xingongmen): Bus routes 374, 437, 481, 952, 704, 992.
Taxi Fare
- A taxi ride from central Beijing to the Summer Palace costs around 80 RMB and takes about 40 minutes if traffic isn’t too congested.
- When you’re ready to leave, you might find that some taxi drivers are reluctant or refuse to use the meter and instead charge a fixed price. Additionally, many may not want to return to the city center, which could be inconvenient.
Tip 3: Opening Hours
- High Season (April 1 to October 31):
- Opening time: 6:00 AM
- Last entry: 7:00 PM
- Closing time: 8:00 PM
- Low Season (November 1 to March 31):
- Opening time: 6:30 AM
- Last entry: 6:00 PM
- Closing time: 7:00 PM
Tip 4: Buying the Right Ticket
There are three types of tickets:
- Basic Admission Ticket: Grants entry to the park.
- Combination Ticket: Includes entry to the park and access to specific paid sites within.
- Free Entry: Available to foreign visitors aged 60 and above, with a passport, and children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters in height with a valid ID.
Note: Ticket prices vary between the high and low seasons.
- Summer Palace Admission Ticket:
- 30 RMB (High Season)
- 20 RMB (Low Season)
- Summer Palace Combination Ticket:
- 60 RMB (High Season)
- 50 RMB (Low Season)
- Paid Attractions within the Park:
- Deheyuan: 5 RMB
- Wenchang Gallery: 20 RMB
- Tower of Buddhist Incense: 10 RMB
- Suzhou Street: 10 RMB
Important Notes:
- The combination ticket includes the basic admission ticket and access to specific paid attractions.
- It is recommended to purchase only the basic admission ticket and buy individual attraction tickets on-site if interested.
- Students can enjoy a 50% discount.
- Children under 1.2 meters enter for free.
- The park is large, with no significant restrictions on ticket purchases.
Tip 5: Accessibility for Visitors with Mobility Issues
The Summer Palace is a vast garden complex. If you have difficulty walking or have mobility issues, you can borrow a wheelchair for free at the entrance with a deposit of 500 RMB. Additionally, if you enter from Xingongmen, you can take a boat from the Marble Boat to the Long Corridor and return to Xingongmen without retracing your steps. All restrooms within the Summer Palace are equipped with wheelchair access.
Tip 6: English-Speaking Guides
The Summer Palace offers three options for English-speaking guides:
- Rent an official guide from Donggongmen (Main Entrance).
- Rent an audio guide from any of the three main entrances. You can return the audio guide at any gate.
- Some self-employed English guides may approach you at the entrance offering their services, but it is not recommended to use them.
For inquiries, call: 010-62881144 ext. 6618
The Summer Palace offers English guide services at the following rates:
- 180 RMB for 1.5 hours
- 240 RMB for 2 hours
- 320 RMB for 2.5 hours
- For groups of up to 5 people (including 5 people); an additional 10 RMB is charged for each extra person.
Tip 7: Choosing the Right Entrance and Tour Route
The Summer Palace has three main entrances: Donggongmen (Main Entrance), Beigongmen (North Gate), and Xingongmen (South Gate).
It’s important to know which gate you’ll be entering, especially if you’re arriving by taxi or bus. Each gate offers a different tour route through the Summer Palace.
Tour Routes from the Three Gates:
- From Xingongmen (South Gate):
- Head north along the eastern bank, pass through the Imperial Garden (Donggongmen, Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, etc.), walk through the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, reach the Marble Boat, and take a boat back to Xingongmen (circular route).
- From Donggongmen (Main Entrance):
- Walk through the Imperial Garden (Donggongmen, Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, etc.), walk through the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, reach the Marble Boat, and take a boat to Xingongmen (South Gate).
- From Beigongmen (North Gate):
- Start at Suzhou Street, reach the Marble Boat, climb Longevity Hill, walk through the Long Corridor, pass through the former Imperial Palace, and exit at Donggongmen (Main Entrance).
Tip 8: Tower of Buddhist Incense
If you visit the Summer Palace, it’s highly recommended to climb the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
This tower is located on the southern slope of Longevity Hill, overlooking Kunming Lake and backed by the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom.
The tower is built on a 21-meter-high base, stands 41 meters tall, and has three levels, four eaves, and is supported by eight pillars.
From the base of the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kunming Lake and the surrounding areas.
（The panoramic view of Kunming Lake at Summer Palace from the base of the Tower of Buddhist Incense）
Tip 9: Boating on Kunming Lake
Starting from the Marble Boat, taking a boat across the lake and passing by the beautiful Seventeen-Arch Bridge is an excellent way to appreciate the scenic beauty of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
- Ferry Ticket Price: 30 RMB (from the Marble Boat to Bronze Ox Dock)
- Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Rowboat Rental (Lake Boat): 60 RMB per boat per hour (with a 400 RMB deposit); paddle boats (can accommodate up to 4 people)
- Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
（Boat Ride on Kunming Lake）
Tip 10: Familiarize Yourself with the Three Main Sections
The three tour routes are centered around the three main sections of the Summer Palace, and the tickets cover most areas within these sections.
- Front Court Area (Qianlong Garden)
- This is where Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor once lived, managed state affairs, received accolades, and met with foreign envoys.
- Long Corridor and Longevity Hill
- The second section includes the Long Corridor, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Hall of the Sea of Wisdom, Back Lake, Suzhou Market Street, and Longevity Hill.
- Kunming Lake and South Lake Island
- The final section features Kunming Lake, with the Marble Boat, South Lake Island, the Bronze Ox, and the beautiful Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
（17-arch bridge）
Tip 11: Prepare for 2-3 Hours of Outdoor Sightseeing
Visiting the Summer Palace requires good physical stamina and involves a lot of walking due to its vast size. Dress appropriately for hot or cold weather, as Beijing’s summers can be humid and stifling, sometimes extremely hot.
Winters can also be very cold, so be prepared for uncomfortable weather conditions in both seasons. It’s highly recommended to wear your most comfortable shoes.
The walk is long, and food options within the area are limited to typical fast food and snacks, so bringing your own food is advisable.
Tip 12: Ice Skating at the Summer Palace
Planning a winter trip to Beijing? Ice skating is one of Beijing’s traditional winter activities. The city has several ice skating rinks converted from lakes, with a total skating area of 1 million square meters.
For first-time visitors to Beijing, the Summer Palace is a major attraction. The ice skating rink on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace is the largest in Beijing, covering a total area of 700,000 square meters.
Tip 13: Be Aware of Official Visitor Regulations
- Prohibited Activities:
- Crossing, climbing, smoking, swimming, ice skating, fishing, spitting, defecating, and littering are strictly forbidden within the park.
- Camping and Cooking:
- Camping, cooking, fishing, capturing animals, and digging are not allowed in the park.
- Damage to Property:
- Painting, carving on buildings, grounds, stones, facilities, or trees is prohibited. Picking flowers, damaging lawns, and harming trees is also forbidden.
- Fire Safety Areas:
- The area north of Wenchang Pavilion and east of the Jiehu Bridge is a designated fire prevention and no-smoking zone.
- Vehicle Restrictions:
- Only hand-cranked wheelchairs and strollers for the elderly, disabled, and children are allowed. Other vehicles require prior permission for entry.
- Professional Equipment:
- Use of professional photographic equipment is not permitted without prior authorization.
- Noise and Performances:
- Performing, singing, or loud noise is not allowed without permission, to avoid disturbing other visitors.
- Guides:
- All tour guides must hold a valid tour guide certificate.
Author:TravelChinaBook,Please indicate the source:https://travelchinabook.com/how-to-visit-the-summer-palace-in-beijing-for-foreign-tourists-tips-photos-and-maps.html
