Summer Palace
Beijing · Haidian

Summer Palace

Verified 2026-05-04 · High confidence

Why this stop matters

One of China’s best-preserved imperial gardens, the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its integration of classical landscape architecture and lakeside scenery. Originally commissioned in 1750 as the ‘Garden of Clear Ripples,’ it was substantially restored in the late 19th century. The site offers a quieter, more expansive alternative to the Forbidden City and works well for transit visitors with a half-day window.

AliasesSummer Palace颐和园頤和園

Summer Palace Opening Hours

  • Peak season (Apr 1 – Oct 31):06:00 — 20:00 (Last entry: 19:00)
  • Off season (Nov 1 – Mar 31):06:30 — 19:00 (Last entry: 18:00)
  • Weekly closure: Monday
  • Holiday notes: Closed on Mondays, except public holidays. This Monday closure applies to inner-garden attractions rather than the outer park grounds.

Operational notes

  • • Inner garden attractions (Tower of Buddhist Incense, Dehe Garden, etc.): 08:00-18:00 (Peak), 08:30-17:00 (Off).
  • • Boat services operate seasonally from mid-March to mid-November, subject to weather conditions.
  • • Self-drive electric boats and sightseeing cruises are available at multiple docks.

Summer Palace Booking & Reservation

  • Reservation required:Yes

Tickets are valid only for the selected entry time slot. Booking can be done via the 'Summer Palace' official WeChat Mini Program or through authorized third-party platforms with passport registration.

Summer Palace Tickets & Prices

  • Peak season park admission (Apr 1 – Oct 31): CNY 30
  • Peak season combo ticket (Apr 1 – Oct 31): CNY 60
  • Off season park admission (Nov 1 – Mar 31): CNY 20
  • Off season combo ticket (Nov 1 – Mar 31): CNY 50
  • Dehe Garden: CNY 5
  • Tower of Buddhist Incense: CNY 10
  • Suzhou Street: CNY 10
  • Museum of the Summer Palace: CNY 20
  • Same listed price for foreign visitors:Yes

Self-drive Electric Boats

Self-drive Electric Boats

CNY 200 per hour; Deposit CNY 600
Important Reminders
  • Boats must be returned to their original pier.
  • Operations suspended during winds of force 4 or above, heavy rain, or weather alerts. Follow the official Summer Palace Weibo for updates.
  • Waiting times can be long on weekends and holidays; consider visiting during off-peak hours.
  • Life jackets must be worn at all times. Remain seated and stable; no running or rough play.
  • Children are strictly prohibited from operating the boats.
  • Maintain good behavior: do not throw trash into the lake or feed the wildlife.

Perfect for families or small groups to explore Kunming Lake at their own pace.

08:30 – 17:30 (Ticket sales end at 16:30)
Yulantang Pier, Wenchangge Pier, Bafangting Pier
6-seat electric boatCNY 200/hr

Cruise Ferry Routes

Cruise Ferry Routes

Important Reminders
  • Children under 1.2m ride for free when accompanied by an adult.

Large ferries operating on 11 fixed routes across the Kunming Lake.

08:30 – 17:30
Bronze Ox Pier – Shizhangting PierCNY 40
Marble Boat Pier – North Nanhu Island PierCNY 40
Seventeen-Arch Bridge Pier – Suyunyan PierCNY 40
Suzhou Street Pier – Suyunyan PierCNY 30
One-way only, no return
Paiyun Gate (Lake Circular Route)CNY 40
Jingminglou Pier – West Nanhu Island PierCNY 30
Jade Belt Bridge Pier – West Nanhu Island PierCNY 30
South Ruyi Gate Pier – South Nanhu Island PierCNY 30
South Ruyi Gate Pier – Dui’ou Fang PierCNY 40
Changguan Tang Pier – South Nanhu Island PierCNY 40
Changguan Tang Pier – South Xidi PierCNY 40

Charter Services

Charter Services

Private sightseeing boats for groups, ranging from 10 to 98 seats.

08:30 – 17:30 (Except public holidays)
Small open-air painted boat (20/30 seats)CNY 3000/hr
Small luxury enclosed painted boat (10/12 seats)CNY 4000/hr
Large open-air painted boat (75/80/98 seats)CNY 8000/hr
Booking Phone
+86 17200391416 / +86 17200391418 (Must book 24h in advance).

Ticketed attraction; book through official channels where possible and keep cash or Alipay as backup for on-site purchases.

Getting to Summer Palace

East Palace Gate (Main Entrance)Primary entry

Metro Line 4 / 16
Xiyuan • Exit C2 • 10 min walk
Best for first-time visitors as it leads directly to the main court area.

North Palace Gate (Beigongmen)

Metro Line 4
Beigongmen • Exit D • 5 min walk
Convenient for metro users, but involves climbing Longevity Hill if starting here.
Taxi reference
Recommended to use 'DiDi' app for real-time pricing from your location

Best Time to Visit Summer Palace

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the most pleasant weather and clearest skies. Arrive early (ideally when gates open at 8:30 AM) to enjoy the tranquil morning atmosphere before large domestic tour groups arrive around 10 AM.

Recommended Route

Classic Lakeside & Hill Panorama

The walking route I suggest goes through the most iconic imperial halls before climbing the hill for a panorama and ending with a serene lake view.

East Gate (東宮門)→Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁壽殿)→Hall of Jade Ripples (玉瀾堂)→Garden of Virtue and Harmony (德和園)→Hall of Joy and Longevity (樂壽堂)→Long Corridor (長廊)→Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香閣)→Travel in Pictures (畫中游)→Suzhou Street (蘇州街)→Four Great Regions (四大部洲)→Sea of Wisdom (智慧海)→Garden of Harmonious Pleasures (諧趣園)→Heralding Spring Pavilion (知春亭)→South Lake Island (南湖島)

Insider Tips

Embrace the Slow Pace

Plan at least 6 hours, ideally a full day to really enjoy it. Don’t rush — take breaks and soak in the views, just as the emperors once did.

Don't Miss the Boat

The garden’s most stunning feature is Kunming Lake. I highly recommend taking a boat to drift across the water for a unique perspective of the Longevity Hill.

Explore Hidden Corners

The site has countless hidden corners and small pavilions. Feel free to alter your route depending on what interests you most; sometimes the best views are found by wandering off the main path.

Foreign visitor tips

Passport needed at entry

Yes

Survival Tips

For many Western travelers, the Summer Palace feels more 'relaxing' than the dense, palace‑focused Forbidden City. Its blend of nature, open space, and history, plus easy access by metro, makes it an excellent choice for a second day in Beijing. English signage is generally reliable, and audio guides are rentable at all main gates.

Ticketing Tips

You do not need your passport to enter the park, but it is required if you buy tickets on-site for identity verification. Keep it with you. Foreigners can typically buy tickets at the on-site window using a passport. However, advance online booking via the official WeChat mini-program is strongly recommended during peak seasons (summer, public holidays) to guarantee entry. Allow at least 4–6 hours to fully enjoy the lakeside walks, major halls, and a boat ride.

Photo rules

Flash photography and tripods are not allowed inside exhibition halls. Drones are strictly prohibited across the entire park.

Skip Summer Palace if

Skip if the weather is extremely hazy (AQI heavily polluted) — the iconic lake views largely disappear. Also skip if you have less than 2.5 hours in total; the round‑trip transit plus the extensive walking distances within the park make a rushed visit stressful and unsatisfying.

Also in Beijing

Plan your Beijing transit stay

  • Itinerary builder — turn these attractions into a timed day plan
  • Dining cards — order and communicate without Chinese, saveable to your phone
  • Payment setup — Alipay, WeChat Pay, and cash fallback before you land
  • App guide — DiDi, maps, and booking apps configured before departure
See the Full Guide

Need more history?

Read on Wikipedia

Data sources

Last reviewed: · Phainon · China Transit Guide Editorial

Summer Palace Beijing Guide 2026 | Transit Visitor Tips