destinationThe Summer Palace

The Summer Palace

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Located in the western suburbs of Beijing, it is a royal garden from the Qing Dynasty and is known as the "Museum of Royal Gardens". The Summer Palace combines the best of the southern Chinese gardens and is rich in landscapes and cultural connotations.

1. Why You Must Visit the Summer Palace?

A masterpiece of Chinese landscape design, the Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as "the best-preserved imperial garden in the world."
Built in 1750, it served as an imperial retreat for Qing emperors. Destroyed in 1860, rebuilt in 1888. This 290-acre complex harmoniously blends palaces, pavilions, lakes, and bridges, reflecting China’s philosophical pursuit of balance between nature and humanity. UNESCO praises it as "a potent symbol of Chinese imperial power and artistic achievement." It also holds the title of "China’s largest and most complete royal garden," attracting over 16 million visitors annually.

2. Itinerary & Top Attractions

a. Suggested Itinerary (4–6 hours)

  • Classic Route: East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Long Corridor → Marble Boat → Longevity Hill → Kunming Lake (boat ride) → Seventeen-Arch Bridge.

b. Must-See Attractions

  • Long Corridor (728 meters): A painted gallery with 14,000+ traditional Chinese artworks. Foreign visitors adore its storytelling through art and shaded lakeside walk.
  • Kunming Lake: Rent a paddleboat or join a dragon boat cruise for panoramic views of the pagoda-dotted Longevity Hill.
  • Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge): Climb this iconic 41-meter tower for a breathtaking vista. Its golden tiles and intricate carvings symbolize imperial devotion.
  • Seventeen-Arch Bridge: A marble marvel adorned with 544 unique lion statues, perfect for sunset photography.

c. Boat Routes

  1. Basic Information
Category Details
Boat Types Self-drive electric boats (6-seater), Route sightseeing boats (10–98-seater), Private charters (large boats)
Payment Methods Cash, QR codes, bank cards (on-site payment)
Operating Season March 12 to mid-November
  1. Self-Drive Electric Boats
Details Information
Docks Yulantang Dock, Wenchangge Dock, Bafangting Dock (return to original dock)
Rental Fee ¥200/hour per boat
Deposit ¥600 (refundable)
Operating Hours Ticket sales: 08:30–16:30 Operations end: 17:30
  1. Route Sightseeing Boats
  • General Information
Category Details
Operating Hours 08:30–17:30
Child Policy Free for children under 1.2m in height
  • Ferry Routes & Fares
Route One-Way Fare
Tongniu – Shizhangting ¥40/person
Marble Boat – North Nanhu Island ¥40/person
Seventeen-Arch Bridge – Suyunyan ¥40/person
Suyunyan – Suzhou Street ¥30/person
Paiyunmen Lakeside Loop ¥40/person
Jingming Tower – West Nanhu Island ¥30/person
Yudai Bridge – West Nanhu Island ¥30/person
South Ruyi Gate – South Nanhu Island ¥30/person
South Ruyi Gate – Dioufang ¥40/person
Changguantang – South Nanhu Island ¥40/person
Changguantang – South Xidi Entrance ¥40/person

3. Unique Experiences

a. Seasonal Activities

  • Spring: Kunming Lake Ice Festival (January–February).
  • Summer: Lotus Flower Festival (July–August).

b. Exhibitions

Check the official site for rotating cultural displays: [www.summerpalace-china.com]

c. Cultural Immersion

  • Guided Tea Ceremony: Book via the on-site Yulan Hall (1 hour, ¥200/person).
  • Traditional Painting Workshop: Available weekends at Suzhou Street (reserve 3 days ahead).

4. Stay & Transportation

a. Beijing Hotels Near Summer Palace

Luxury (¥2,000+/night, 5 mins walk):
  • The Aman Summer Palace
Mid-Range (¥600–1,200/night, 10–15 mins taxi):
  • Four Points by Sheraton (Beijing Branch)
  • Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park by IHG
Budget (¥200–400/night, 15 mins taxi):
  • 7 Days Inn Suzhou Street
  • Hanting Hotel Haidian

b. Transportation Guide

  • Metro: Line 4 to Xiyuan Station (Exit C2), then 10-min walk.
  • Bus: Routes 332, 584, 331, 601, 563
  • Taxi/Rideshare: 40 mins from downtown (¥30–90).

5. Tickets

a. Price

Summer Palace Ticket: 30 yuan/ticket (peak season) 20 yuan/ticket (off-season) Summer Palace Combined Ticket: 60 yuan/ticket (peak season) 50 yuan/ticket (off-season)

b. Discounts

  • Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters (inclusive) in height are free of charge;
  • Visitors aged 60 and above holding foreign permanent residence ID cards can enter the park with valid documents;
  • Foreign visitors aged 60 and above can enter the park with their passports;
  • Disabled people can enter the park with valid documents;

6. FAQs

a. Official Website

https://www.summerpalace-china.com/

b. Opening Hours

  • Park opening hours
      Peak season (April 1-October 31): Open at 6:00, stop admission at 19:00, close at 20:00.
      Off-season (November 1-March 31): Open at 6:30, stop admission at 18:00, close at 19:00.
  • Opening hours of scenic spots and courtyards（Buddhist Incense Pavilion, Dehe Garden, Summer Palace Museum, Suzhou Street）
      Peak season (April 1-October 31): Open at 8:00, close at 18:00.
      Off-season (November 1-March 31): Open at 8:30

c. Guided Tours

  • English Guides: ¥300–500/group (2–3 hours).
  • Audio Guides: ¥40 (deposit ¥200).

d. Rules

  • No smoking outside designated areas. Drones prohibited.

e. Nearby Attractions

  • Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan): 2 km east (10 mins by taxi).
  • Peking University: 3 km south (Bus 332, 15 mins).
  • Tsinghua University: 3 km east (Metro Line 4, 20 mins).

f. Distance to Other Landmarks

  • Forbidden City: 15 km; Metro Line 4 → Line 1 (60 mins).
  • Temple of Heaven: 20 km; Metro Line 4 → Line 7 (60 mins).
  • Beihai Park: 17 km; Metro Line 4 → Line 6 (50 mins).
  • Jingshan Park: 14 km; Metro Line 4 → Line 6 (60 mins).

g. Photo Spots

  • Kunming Lake East Causeway: Sunrise reflections.
  • Marble Boat: Architectural contrast with the lake.

h. Attire & Gear

  • Wear cushioned shoes (hilly terrain). Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.

i. Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-friendly paths from East Gate; limited ramp access to pavilions.

7. Final Notes

The Summer Palace is more than a scenic escape—it’s a living museum of China’s imperial legacy. Whether you’re marveling at UNESCO-listed pavilions or cruising Kunming Lake, every corner whispers stories of emperors and poets. Pair your visit with nearby cultural gems, and let Beijing’s royal grandeur unfold.