The Summer Palace is one of China’s Four Great Gardens and was originally a royal retreat during the Qing Dynasty. It is the best-preserved imperial palace and garden. The main attractions in the garden are divided into three areas: the political activity area represented by the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the living area represented by the Hall of Joy and Longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples, and the Hall of Virtuous Splendor, and the garden tour area comprising the Long Corridor, the Back Hill, and the Western District. Additionally, there is the modern Summer Palace Museum.
The total area of the Summer Palace is about 3 square kilometers, with water covering three-quarters of the area. The main features are Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Longevity Hill centers around the Tower of Buddhist Incense and includes the 728-meter Long Corridor, Suzhou Street, and the Garden of Harmonious Interests. Kunming Lake features prominent structures such as the Six Bridges of the West Causeway, Nanhu Island (Dragon King Temple), the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and the Hall of Dispelling Clouds.
Travel Information about Summer Palace
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices:
- Peak Season (April to October): 30 RMB
- Off Season (November to March): 20 RMB
- Dehe Garden: 5 RMB
- Tower of Buddhist Incense: 10 RMB
- Summer Palace Museum: 20 RMB
- Suzhou Street: 10 RMB
- Combo Ticket: 60 RMB (peak season), 50 RMB (off season)
Opening Hours:
- Peak Season: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Inner Gardens: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Off Season: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Inner Gardens: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Transportation to the Summer Palace
Location: Northwest of Beijing city.
- Subway: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station or Xiyuan Station.
- Bus:
- Take bus routes 209, 330, etc., and get off at the Summer Palace Station.
- Take bus routes 303, 331, 384, etc., and get off at Beigongmen Station of the Summer Palace.
- Take bus routes 374, 437, etc., and get off at the New Palace Gate of Shunhe Garden.
- Take bus route 469 and get off at the West Gate of the Summer Palace.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★★
- Relaxation: ★★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Thrill: ★★
Visitor Services at the Summer Palace
- Information Services: Electronic display screens providing video consultation services are available at the three main gates (East Palace Gate, North Palace Gate, and New Palace Gate). Additionally, first aid kits, sewing kits, and wheelchairs are available at the seven gates and the visitor service center.
- Specialty Shops: There are three specialty shops within the park: the Craft Shop at the South Hall of Ren Shou Men near the East Palace Gate, the Craft Shop at the South Nine Ministers’ West Three-Room House outside Ren Shou Men, and the Craft Shop at the entrance of the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. These shops offer various souvenirs.
- Guided Tours: The park offers both electronic audio guides and live guide services. Electronic audio guides are available at the East Palace Gate, North Palace Gate, North Ruyi Gate, New Palace Gate, and South Ruyi Gate (device return only). Live guide service stations are located at the East Palace Gate, North Palace Gate, New Palace Gate, and West Gate, offering explanations in eight languages.
Highlights of Summer Palace
Hall of Benevolence and Longevity & Hall of Joy and Longevity
The palace area is located on the flat terrain from the East Palace Gate to the northeast corner of Kunming Lake. The East Palace Gate and the surrounding area form the “Outer Court” of the palace area, consisting of the main hall, side halls, courtyards, palace gates, morning rooms, shadow walls, archways, stone bridges, and squares. The Hanxu Archway outside the East Palace Gate is a large wooden archway with three gates, four pillars, and seven roofs, framing the view of the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill.
The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity was the place where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled state affairs, received congratulations, and met foreign envoys during their stays at the Summer Palace. In 1898, Emperor Guangxu summoned the reformist leader Kang Youwei here, marking the beginning of the Hundred Days’ Reform.
The Hall of Joy and Longevity was originally built in the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1750) and rebuilt in the 12th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign (1886). It became Empress Dowager Cixi’s residence within the garden. The “Inner Court” of the palace area, centered around the Hall of Joy and Longevity, includes several large siheyuan (courtyard) complexes such as the Hall of Jade Ripples and the Hall of Virtuous Splendor, as well as auxiliary buildings for entertainment and daily life like the Garden of Virtue and Harmony and the Longevity Dining Hall, serving as the living quarters for the emperor and empress.
Jingfu Pavilion is located at the easternmost high point of Longevity Hill’s ridge. It was originally built during the Qianlong period and completely destroyed in the 10th year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1860). It was rebuilt in the 18th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign (1890). The pavilion faces south, built on a platform, providing excellent views to the east, south, and north. To the east, one can see the gardens of Yuanmingyuan and Changchunyuan; to the south, there are expansive views of Kunming Lake, Nanhu Island, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, making it an ideal spot for enjoying the rain and snow.
Hall of Dispelling Clouds & Tower of Buddhist Incense
The front hill of Longevity Hill is the most densely built area of the Summer Palace, with its central part being the core architectural complex of the entire garden—the Tower of Buddhist Incense complex. Centered around this axis, the eastern and western parts of the front hill are dotted with various luxurious and elegant courtyards and scenic buildings.
The Hall of Dispelling Clouds and the Tower of Buddhist Incense scenic area constitute the most complete and architecturally diverse central axis complex in the Summer Palace. The complex includes halls, pavilions, corridors, bridges, archways, and steles, covering an area of about 20,000 square meters. From the Yunhui Yuyu Archway by the water to the Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Dehui Hall, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Realm of Multitudinous Fragrance, and the Sea of Wisdom, the structures rise in layers, creating a majestic and orderly arrangement that seamlessly integrates garden, temple, and palace elements.
This scenic area was originally built in the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1750), centered around the Great Temple of Gratitude and Longevity. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860 and rebuilt to its current scale during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty.
Xumi Lingjing & Sea of Wisdom
Xumi Lingjing is the main architectural complex on the back hill of Longevity Hill in the Summer Palace, also known as the “Four Great Continents.” During the Qianlong period, the main architectural complex on the front hill of the Garden of Clear Ripples (now the Summer Palace) was the Great Temple of Gratitude and Longevity (now the Hall of Dispelling Clouds complex). On the back hill, the main architectural complex was another Tibetan-style Buddhist temple—Xumi Lingjing. These two architectural groups are aligned on the same central axis but are separated by the ridge of the hill, facing opposite directions, one to the south and the other to the north.
The Sea of Wisdom was constructed during the Qianlong period (1736–1795) and is a unique structure built with brick and stone without the use of beams or columns, commonly referred to as a beamless hall. The roof and wall paintings of the building are decorated with multicolored glazed tiles and feature 1,110 statues of Amitayus, all of which date back to the Qianlong period. The inscriptions on the front and back of the archway in front of the Sea of Wisdom form a Buddhist verse: “Realm of Multitudinous Fragrance, Jeta Grove, Sea of Wisdom, Auspicious Clouds.”
Long Corridor & Marble Boat
The Long Corridor of the Summer Palace is located on the southern slope of Longevity Hill, facing Kunming Lake, with Longevity Hill to the north. It starts from the Yaoyue Gate in the east and ends at the Shizhang Pavilion in the west. It is the longest covered corridor in Chinese gardens and was recognized in 1992 as the longest corridor in the world, listed in the Guinness World Records. Each beam of the corridor is adorned with colorful paintings, totaling over 14,000 illustrations. These include landscapes, flora and fauna, and scenes from famous Chinese classical literature.
The Marble Boat, commonly known as the Stone Boat, is situated at the western end of the Long Corridor by the lake. It symbolizes “peace and stability” and is the only Western-style structure in the Summer Palace. Its predecessor was the Release Life Platform of the Ming Dynasty’s Yuanjing Temple. During the Qianlong Emperor’s renovation of the Garden of Clear Ripples, the platform was transformed into a boat and renamed the Marble Boat. The boat is 36 meters long and is carved and constructed from marble. It features a two-story superstructure, a floor paved with decorated bricks, stained glass windows, and a roof adorned with brick carvings. When it rains, water on the boat’s roof drains through hollow pillars at the four corners and exits through dragon heads into the lake.
Kunming Lake (Seventeen-Arch Bridge & Bronze Ox)
Kunming Lake is the largest lake among the imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty and was modeled after the Su Causeway of West Lake in Hangzhou, forming the West Causeway. The West Causeway and its branches divide the lake into three water bodies of different sizes, each with a central island. These three islands are arranged in a tripod pattern, symbolizing the three mythical mountains in the East Sea from ancient Chinese legend—Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou. The shimmering water, winding causeways, scattered islands, and various architectural structures hidden in the lakeside scenery create a stunning water-centric landscape in the Summer Palace.
The Seventeen-Arch Bridge connects the eastern dyke with the South Lake Island. At over 150 meters long, it is the longest bridge in existing Chinese imperial gardens. Named for its seventeen archways, the bridge features over 500 stone lions in various poses carved on the railings’ balustrades. At both ends of the bridge are four stone-carved mythical beasts, displaying powerful and robust figures that are considered masterpieces of Qing Dynasty stone carving art.
The Bronze Ox, also known as the “Golden Ox,” lies on an intricately carved stone base, with a lifelike appearance reminiscent of a real ox. It is said to have been placed here to suppress floods. On the ox’s back is an inscription of eighty characters in seal script, written by the Qianlong Emperor, known as the “Golden Ox Inscription.”
Annual Events at the Summer Palace
Suzhou Street Palace Market: Every year from the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year, the Summer Palace hosts the “Suzhou Street Palace Market” event. Outside the North Palace Gate, colorful archways are set up, and a drum and lion dance team performs in the square. Inside the North Palace Gate, there are performances of the “Peace Drum” dance and “Shadow Play.” Suzhou Street features exquisite New Year’s goods and Beijing-style snacks, creating a lively atmosphere.
Autumn Osmanthus Festival: From mid-September to early October each year, the Summer Palace holds the Autumn Osmanthus Festival. Activities include flowerbed displays, exhibitions on osmanthus culture, and opportunities to drink osmanthus wine, taste osmanthus tea, and purchase osmanthus-themed souvenirs. Each year, a specific theme is chosen for the festival.
National Day Celebrations: During the National Day holiday, the park is decorated with various floral displays and hosts a range of performances by local communities.
Recommended Routes
East Palace Gate Entrance:
East Palace Gate → Ren Shou Hall → Le Shou Hall → Long Corridor → Paiyun Gate → Stone Boat → Central Imperial Road → Suzhou Street
North Palace Gate Entrance:
North Palace Gate → Suzhou Street → Dan Ning Hall → Xiequ Garden → Ren Shou Hall → De He Garden → Yu Lan Hall → Wenchang Courtyard → Le Shou Hall → Long Corridor → Paiyun Hall → Fo Xiang Pavilion → Stone Boat → Farming and Weaving Picture Area → Ruyi Gate
New Palace Gate Entrance:
New Palace Gate → South Lake Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → Bronze Ox → Boat to Stone Boat → Farming and Weaving Picture Area → Suzhou Street → Fo Xiang Pavilion → Paiyun Hall → Long Corridor → Le Shou Hall → De He Garden → Yu Lan Hall → Wenchang Courtyard → Ren Shou Hall → East Palace Gate
Visitor Guide for Summer Palace
Scenic Area Transportation:
- Eco-friendly Shuttle Route: Bafang Pavilion (Seventeen-Arch Bridge) → Xiu Yi Bridge → South Entrance of Jingming Tower → Changguan Hall → Jade Belt Bridge (Farming and Weaving Picture).
- Boats: There are small boats such as hand-rowed boats, pedal boats, and six-seater antique-style electric boats, as well as larger boats. The small boat docks are as follows:
- Bafang Pavilion Dock: Hand-rowed boat, 80 RMB/hour; six-seater pedal boat, 120 RMB/hour.
- Wenchang Pavilion Dock: Six-seater antique-style electric boat, 200 RMB/hour.
- Yulan Hall Dock: Six-seater antique-style electric boat, 200 RMB/hour.
- Bafang Pavilion to Stone Boat
- South Lake Island to Bronze Ox
- Shizhang Pavilion to South Ruyi Gate
- Dui’ou Boat to Shen Changguan Hall (West Gate)
- South Lake Island to Zaojian Hall area for lotus viewing (summer only)
- Suyunyan to Seventeen-Arch Bridge, one-way 40 RMB/person
- South Ruyi Gate to South Lake Island, South Lake Island to Jingming Tower, South Lake Island to Jade Belt Bridge, Suzhou Street to Suyunyan, one-way 30 RMB/person.
Dining Options
Inside the Summer Palace, there are several dining options:
- Fast Food Restaurants:
- Zhichun Pavilion
- East of the Hall of Dispelling Clouds
- Shizhang Pavilion
- Traditional Imperial Cuisine:
- Tingli Pavilion: This restaurant is a renowned Chinese time-honored brand specializing in imperial cuisine. The main location is near the Marble Boat. The branch at the end of the Long Corridor, near the North Ruyi Gate, serves dishes with a royal flavor. Dining hours are generally from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
- Nearby Options:
- Visitors can also have lunch at the canteens of Tsinghua University or Peking University, or at nearby restaurants outside the Summer Palace.