The Summer Palace, one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, offers visitors a chance to explore its sprawling beauty from a unique perspective: the water. Boating on Kunming Lake allows tourists to enjoy the breathtaking views of ancient pavilions, lush landscapes, and historical structures. Whether you’re opting for a small boat ride or a luxurious cruise, this guide covers all the essential boat ride options, pricing details, and tips to help you navigate this aquatic experience.
1. Boat Rental Information
There are several docking stations within the Summer Palace where you can rent boats to cruise across the beautiful Kunming Lake. These rental options range from pedal boats to electric-powered vessels.
- Bafang Pavilion Dock (八方亭码头):
- Rowboats (4 seats): 80 CNY per hour, with a 400 CNY deposit.
- Pedal Boats (6 seats): 120 CNY per hour, with a 400 CNY deposit.
- Wenchang Pavilion Dock (文昌阁码头):
- Antique Electric Boats (6 seats): 200 CNY per hour, with a 600 CNY deposit.
- Yulan Hall Dock (玉澜堂码头):
- Antique Electric Boats (6 seats): 200 CNY per hour, with a 600 CNY deposit.
For those interested in self-driving electric boats, tickets are available from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, with the last boat departing by 5:30 PM. The price is 200 CNY per hour, with a deposit of 600 CNY.
2. Ferry Routes and Pricing
The Summer Palace also offers several ferry routes for visitors wishing to travel between different docks. These ferry rides provide both short and scenic routes, ideal for those looking to explore various areas of the park.
- Ferry Routes with 30 CNY One-Way Tickets (Ticket prices are per person):
- Suyunyan Dock (宿云檐码头) → Suzhou Street (苏州街)
- Ruyi Gate Dock (如意门码头) → South Lake Island Dock (南湖岛)
- Ferry Routes with 40 CNY One-Way Tickets:
- Copper Bull Dock (铜牛码头) → Shizhang Pavilion Dock (石丈亭码头)
- Stone Boat Dock (石舫码头) → South Lake Island Dock (南湖岛北码头)
- Paiyun Gate Circular Lake Tour Dock (排云门码头)
- Seventeen Arch Bridge Dock (十七孔桥码头) → Suyunyan Dock (宿云檐码头)
- Ruyi Gate Dock (如意门码头) → Duo’ou Pavilion Dock (对鸥舫码头)
- Changguan Hall Dock (畅观堂码头) → South Lake Island Dock (南湖岛南码头)
- Jingming Tower Dock (景明楼码头) → South Lake Island Dock (南湖岛西码头)
3. Private Boat Hire
For a more luxurious and private boating experience, you can opt for a business boat hire. These boats are available for various group sizes and are ideal for a more tailored experience.
- Small Tour Boat (Open-style): 20-30 seats, 3000 CNY per hour.
- Small Luxury Boat (Closed-style): 10-12 seats, 4000 CNY per hour.
- Large Tour Boat (Open-style): 75-98 seats, 8000 CNY per hour.
Business boat rentals require a 24-hour advance booking and are unavailable on public holidays. These private boats come with a variety of additional services, including custom arrangements for the boat’s interior, tour guides, tea sets, and more. The cost of these services will depend on the specific customization.
Important Information and Tips for Boating at the Summer Palace
- Boat Capacity: Most rental boats, whether rowboats, pedal boats, or electric boats, have a capacity of up to 6 people.
- Boat Return: When you rent a boat, you must return it to the same dock where you rented it. A deposit will be refunded when the boat is returned in good condition.
- Ferry Tickets: Children under 1.2 meters in height can ride the ferry for free, making this an ideal family-friendly activity.
- Operating Hours: All boat rentals and ferry services operate from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Booking Private Boats: If you’re interested in booking a private business boat, ensure you do so at least 24 hours in advance.