Introduction
The Summer Palace, located in the western suburbs of Beijing, is one of the most beloved imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty emperors. Originally constructed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and named Qingyi Garden, it was rebuilt during the Guangxu era and was one of the “Three Hills and Five Gardens” in the western suburbs of Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. Today, it remains a masterpiece in the history of garden architecture. The current Summer Palace is primarily composed of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with Kunming Lake accounting for approximately three-quarters of the entire garden area.
In 1998, UNESCO listed the Summer Palace as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Best Time to Visit
Suitable for all seasons, each season offers its own unique scenery.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Itinerary: 北宫门 (North Palace Gate) → 苏州街 (Suzhou Street) → 四大部洲 (Four Great Regions) → 谐趣园 (Garden of Harmonious Interests) → 德和园 (Garden of Virtue and Harmony) → 仁寿殿 (Hall of Benevolence and Longevity) → 玉澜堂(Yulan Hall) → 颐和园博物馆 (Summer Palace Museum) → 知春亭 (Spring Herald Pavilion) → 乐寿堂 (Hall of Joy and Longevity) → 彩画长廊 (Painted Long Corridor) → 佛香阁 (Tower of Buddhist Incense) → 画中游 (Strolling Through a Picture) → 清晏舫 (Marble Boat) → 耕织图 (Farming and Weaving Picture) → 玉带桥 (Jade Belt Bridge) → 练桥 (Training Bridge) → 景明楼 (Bright Scenery Pavilion) → 西堤 (West Causeway) → 十七孔桥 (Seventeen-Arch Bridge) → 南湖岛 (South Lake Island) → 新建宫门 (New Palace Gate).(Use Chinese directly for the names of the attractions.)
Half-Day Tour Itinerary: 北宫门 (North Palace Gate) → 谐趣园 (Garden of Harmonious Interests) → 德和园 (Garden of Virtue and Harmony) → 仁寿殿 (Hall of Benevolence and Longevity) → 玉澜堂(Yulan Hall) → 颐和园博物馆 (Summer Palace Museum) → 知春亭 (Spring Herald Pavilion) → 乐寿堂 (Hall of Joy and Longevity) → 彩画长廊 (Painted Long Corridor) → 佛香阁 (Tower of Buddhist Incense) → 画中游 (Strolling Through a Picture) → 清晏舫 (Marble Boat) → 苏州街 (Suzhou Street) → 北宫门 (North Palace Gate).
The following are the main attractions.
苏州街 (Suzhou Street)
Entering the park from the North Palace Gate, the first sight is Suzhou Street, a small river constructed in imitation of the style of Jiangnan water towns. On both sides of the river stand ancient-style shop buildings. These shops are not real street markets but rather a scene created by court officials playing the role of merchants.
四大部洲与须弥灵镜建筑群（The Four Great Regions and the Xumi Lingjing Architectural Complex）
Passing through Suzhou Street, you arrive at an architectural complex divided into two parts. The southern half is centered around the Xiangyan Zongyin Pavilion(香岩宗印之阁) and features buildings in the style of Tibetan Buddhist temples, such as the Four Great Regions and the Eight Small Regions. The northern half consists of the Xumi Lingjing (须弥灵镜), with the Baohua Pavilion(宝华楼), Fazang Pavilion(法藏楼), and three pagodas—Brahma(梵天), Zhanlin(旃林), and Cifu(慈福)—established to the north.
画中游 (Strolling Through a Picture)
“Strolling Through a Picture” is a pavilion where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Summer Palace, making it feel as though they are inside a painting. Many people come here to take photos and check in.
彩画长廊 (Painted Long Corridor)
The Painted Long Corridor is over 700 meters long, and its ceiling is decorated with more than 14,000 painted murals. The majority are landscape paintings, with some depicting figures and stories.
清晏舫 (Marble Boat)
On the west side of the Painted Long Corridor is the Marble Boat (Qingyan Fang), a boat-shaped structure made of stone. It symbolizes the saying “The water that carries the boat can also overturn it,” serving as a reminder to the royal family and future generations.
佛香阁 (Tower of Buddhist Incense)
Heading east along the Long Corridor, you reach the middle of the corridor, where the Paiyun Gate(排云门) is located. Climbing up from the Paiyun Gate, you arrive at the core attraction of the Summer Palace, the Tower of Buddhist Incense. It towers into the clouds, magnificent in its grandeur. From the top of the Tower of Buddhist Incense, you can overlook Kunming Lake, with the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains unfolding before your eyes.
乐寿堂 (Hall of Joy and Longevity)
Descending from the Tower of Buddhist Incense and continuing east along the Long Corridor, you will arrive at the Hall of Joy and Longevity. It was the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi during her time at the Summer Palace.
仁寿殿 (Hall of Benevolence and Longevity)
The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity was the place where the emperor handled state affairs during his stay at the Summer Palace. On both sides of the entrance, there is a pair of bronze dragons and a pair of bronze phoenixes.
玉澜堂（Yulan Hall）
Next to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is Yulan Hall, known as the “Emperor’s Prison.” After the failure of the Hundred Days’ Reform, Empress Dowager Cixi imprisoned Emperor Guangxu here.
十七孔桥 (Seventeen-Arch Bridge)
The Seventeen-Arch Bridge connects to South Lake Island. As the name suggests, it has seventeen arches. In the evening, you can witness the “golden light passing through the arches” on South Lake Island. You can also stand on the bridge and enjoy the beautiful sunset glow.
Photos
Basic Information
Is it free? No
Opening Hours: Off-season (November 1 – March 31): 6:30-19:00; Peak season (April 1 – October 31): 6:00-20:00
Customer service phone number: +8610-62881144
| Item | Price | Description |
| Ticket | 30 yuan(Approx. USD 4.2) in peak season, 20 yuan(Approx. USD 2.8) in off season. | |
| Garden within a garden | Deheyuan: 5 yuan; Summer Palace Museum: 20 yuan; Tower of Buddhist Incense: 10 yuan; Suzhou Street: 10 yuan. | These are the additional paid attractions within the Summer Palace. |
| Combined ticket | 60 yuan(Approx. USD 8.4) in peak season, 50 yuan(Approx. USD 7.0) in off season. | The combined ticket includes the entrance ticket and the garden-within-a-garden ticket. |
For more information, please visit the official website of the Summer Palace.
Transportation Options
Arriving at the North Palace Gate: Take Metro Line 4 and exit at the D exit of the North Palace Gate Station(北宫门站). Walk about 400 meters west to reach the North Palace Gate of the Summer Palace.
Arriving at the New Palace Gate: Take bus lines 74, 374, or 437 to reach the New Palace Gate Station of the Summer Palace(颐和园新建宫门站).
Important Notes
The Summer Palace is quite large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. It’s better to buy just the entrance ticket rather than the combined ticket. The combined ticket includes all the additional paid attractions within the park, but it’s usually not possible to visit all of them, so you can buy it if needed later.
The Tower of Buddhist Incense(佛香阁), Garden of Virtue and Harmony(德和园), Summer Palace Museum, and Suzhou Street(苏州街) are closed on Mondays (except for public holidays).