How to Visit The Summer Palace in Beijing

How to Visit The Summer Palace in Beijing

Are you organizing your Beijing tour? A pivotal stop is the Summer Palace, a historic royal sanctuary that once rivaled the Forbidden City (currently the Palace Museum) in importance. Initially serving as a secondary palace in the later Qing Dynasty, it holds a rich narrative of China’s royal past.

Historical Significance

The Summer Palace stands as more than just a royal residence. It was here where Princess Dowager Cixi and emperors of the Qing Dynasty conducted court affairs, welcomed praises, and engaged with foreign diplomats. This site bears testimony to significant historical events and diplomatic interactions that shaped its legacy.

Moreover, the palace showcases the zenith of classical Chinese architectural prowess. Its design reflects the quintessential elements of traditional Chinese gardening and construction techniques. Covering the most extensive area among royal gardens in Beijing, the Summer Palace now serves as an ideal retreat for visitors seeking to experience a blend of historical richness and serene beauty.

In this Summer Palace Travel Guide, you’ll discover how to visit and explore this majestic site, immersing yourself in its historical and cultural significance. A visit here is not just a journey through a royal estate but an excursion into the heart of Chinese heritage and artistry.

Tip 1: How to Schedule Your Visit

Normally it takes about 2 to 3 hours to walk around the Summer Palace itself. With your time on city transportation included, you are advised to allocate at least half a day for visiting. The Summer Palace presents different views in different seasons:

Winter: People skiing on Kunming Lake.
Spring: Fresh trees and flowers.
Summer: A foggy day resembling a beautiful “water and mountain” Chinese scroll painting.
Autumn: Clear blue skies with comfortable weather, ideal for walking.

Tip 2: How to Get to Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is located about 20 km by drive to the northeast of Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

Address: 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing (北京市海淀区新建宫门路19号)
Tel: 62881144 | Fax: 62881077

Entry Gates

Summer Palace has three major entry gates:

East Gate (Main Gate): Also called “East Palace Gate” (东宫门)
North Gate: Also called “Beigongmen” (北宫门)
South Gate: Also known as “New Palace Gate” (新建宫门)

By Subway

Beigongmen Station (North Gate): Take subway line 4 northwest and get off at Beigongmen Station (North Gate). Exit D and walk to the left.
East Palace Gate: Take subway Line 4 or 16 to Xiyuan Station (西苑), exit at C2, and walk about 870 meters to East Palace Gate.
South Gate (New Palace Gate): Take subway line 10 to Bagou Station and then taxi or walk about 2.9 km to South Gate.

Public Bus

East Gate: Buses 330, 331, 332, etc.
North Gate: Buses 303, 330, 331, etc.
South Gate: Buses 374, 437, 481, etc.

Taxi Fare

A taxi from Beijing city center will cost about RMB 80 and take about 40 minutes without much traffic.

Tip 3: Opening Times

High Season (April 1 – October 31): Open 6:00 AM; Last Entry at 7:00 PM; Closed at 8:00 PM.
Low Season (November 1 – March 31): Open 6:30 AM; Last Entry at 6:00 PM; Closed at 7:00 PM.

Tip 4: Buy the Correct Entrance Ticket

Three kinds of tickets are available:

Entrance Ticket: For the park itself.
Combo Ticket: For both the park and pay attractions inside.
Free Tickets: For foreign tourists aged 60 or above, and children under 1.2 meters.

Ticket Prices

Entrance: 30 yuan (peak season), 20 yuan (off-season)
Combo Ticket: 60 yuan (peak season), 50 yuan (off-season)

Paid Attractions Inside the Park

De He Garden: 5 yuan
Wenchang Hospital: 20 yuan
Foxiang Pavilion: 10 yuan
Suzhou Street: 10 yuan

Tip 5: Tips for People with Walking Difficulty

The Summer Palace is vast. If you have walking difficulties, you can hire a wheelchair free of charge from the entrance gate with a deposit of 500 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a boat from the Marble Boat back to the New Palace Gate without retracing your steps. All toilets in the Summer Palace are wheelchair accessible.

Tip 6: English-Speaking Tour Guides

For English-speaking tour guides, you have the following options:

Hire official tour guides at East Palace Gate.
Hire recorded audio guides at any major gate.
Be cautious of self-employed guides; they are not recommended.

Inquiry: 010-62881144, ext 6618
Guide Prices:

180 yuan for 1.5 hours
240 yuan for 2 hours
320 yuan for 2.5 hours

Tip 7: Choose the Right Entrance Gate and Tour Route

Familiarize yourself with the gate you will use, especially for taxis or buses. Each entrance offers different tour routes:

New Palace Gate: Loop route along East Dyke and back.
East Palace Gate: Similar route but starting from the Main Gate.
North Palace Gate: Route includes Suzhou Street and ends at East Palace Gate.

Tip 8: Tower of Buddhist Incense

Ascend the Tower of Buddhist Incense for stunning views of Kunming Lake and the surrounding area. The tower is built on a 21-meter base and stands 41 meters tall.

Tip 9: Boating on Kunming Lake

Enjoy a boat ride starting from the Marble Boat.

Ferry Boat Ride: 30 yuan
Pleasure Boats: 60 yuan per hour with a deposit of 400 yuan.

Tip 10: Familiarize Yourself with the 3-Part Layout

The three main parts of the Summer Palace are:

Former Court Area: The royal palace where court affairs were conducted.
Long Corridor and Longevity Hill: Features various halls and structures.
Kunming Lake and Nanhu Isle: Includes the Marble Boat and the 17-Arch Bridge.

Tip 11: Prepare for 2-3 Hours of Outdoor Sightseeing

Dress appropriately for the weather, as summer can be humid and hot, while winter can be extremely cold. Comfortable shoes are a must, and food options in the complex are limited, so consider bringing your own.