Summer Palace

Summer Palace Tickets Booking

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Summer Palace Tickets Booking

Summer Palace Facts

 Location: in the western outskirts of Beijing, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city center

 Area: 290 hectares (717 acres)

 Age: almost 270 years

 Best time for visit: summer

 Recommended Time for a Visit: half a day

Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. Being the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.
 

Yiheyuan radiates fully the natural beauty and the grandeur of royal gardens. Composed mainly of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, it owns over 3,000 man-made ancient structures, including pavilions, towers, bridges, corridors, etc.

Bridge of Summer Palace
 

Summer Palace History

 In 1750, the construction of the lavish royal garden started to prepare for the birthday ceremony of Emperor Qianlong’s mother, with the original name being 'Qingyi Garden' (Garden of Clear Ripples).

 In 1869, like most of the gardens in Beijing, the Summer Palace could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French Allied Force and was destroyed by fire.

 In 1888, the garden was reconstructed and renamed as the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). It was recorded that Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it as a resort where to spend the rest of her life.

 In 1900, Yiheyuan suffered another hit by the Eight-Power Allied Force and was repaired in the next two years.

 In 1914, it was open to the public.

 In 1998, the Summer Palace ranked amongst the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, as well as one of the first national AAAAA tourist spots in China.

The Summer Palace can be divided into four parts: the Court Area, Front and Rear Area of Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake Area. 
 
Summer Palace Map
Go for more Maps of Summer Palace
Pagoda of Summer Palace
Pagoda of Summer Palace

Court Area

It is located in the northeast of the Summer Palace, and it spreads from East Palace Gate to the northeast coast of Kunming Lake. This was a substitute where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu met officials and conducted state affairs. With the same pattern of the imperial palace of China-'Palace in front and garden behind', the Court Area consists of sections for both court affairs and living. East Palace Gate and Hall of Benevolence and Longevity served as office of the Emperor. The Hall of Jade Ripples was for Guangxu to live in and the Hall of Joyful Longevity for Cixi. There are also the Garden of Virtue and Harmony where Cixi was entertained and Yiyun Hall where once lived the Empress Longyu. Moreover, this area is an integrated transport hub and the first best stop for visitors to enjoy attractive view of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill.

Front Area of Longevity Hill

This is the most magnificent area with the most constructions. It is symmetrically laid out in east and west many delicate buildings and graceful gardens with the south-facing Tower of Buddhist Incense as the central axis. Walking up to the hilltop, on which lots of important buildings are positioned, including Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Baoyun Bronze Pavilion, Revolving Archives, Hall of the Sea of Wisdom, etc.
Boat of Summer Palace
The area covers a larger part, and opens up the vista of Kunming Lake, as well as the sights around Back Lake (Houxi River). East Causeway of the lake is connected to the West Causeway by Long Gallery, which both were interspersed with pavilions, bridges and wharfs. Famous attractions amongst this area are numerous, including Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Bronze Ox, Nanhu Island, Hall of Embracing the Universe, Spacious Pavilion, Pavilion of Bright Scenery, Marble Boat, Suzhou Market Street, etc. As breeze fluttering, waves gleam and willows kiss the ripples of the vast water, the highlights can't be let off from any of the delightful scenery above. 
 

Rear Area of Longevity Hill

It is quiet as compared to Front Hill Area in Summer Palace. Most constructions were never able to be repaired after wars, only a few ruins are left. In the axis of Rear Hill Area, there used to be a religious building group-Houda Temple, a composite structure with both Han and Tibetan characters. Although the constructions are fewer here, it has a unique landscape with dense green trees and winding paths. Strolling here, visitors can feel a rare tranquility and elegance. Famous scenic spots include Garden of Harmonious Interests, Hall of Increasing Longevity, Four Great Regions, Presence of Virtue Temple and Hall of Serenity, etc.


 Travel Tips      FAQs         Ecard
 

How to get to Summer Palace

 

By Bus

 To the East Palace Gate: Take bus 303 and get off at Yiheyuan Station, then walk west for about 200 meters (220 yards) to the gate.
 To the West Gate: Take bus 469, 539 or Zhuan 129 and get off at Yiheyuan Ximen (Yiheyuan West Gate) Station, then walk northeastward for about 300 meters (328 yards) to the gate.
 To the North Palace Gate: Take bus 303, 346, 394, 563, 584 or Sightseeing Line 3 and get off at Yiheyuan Beigongmen (North Palace Gate) Station; or take bus 332, 384, or 601 to Beigongmen Subway Station. The gate is less than 100 meters (109 yards) away.
 To the New Palace Gate: Take bus 74, 374, or 437, and get off at Xin Jian Gong Men (Yiheyuan New Palace Gate) Station.
 

By Subway

 Take line 4 to Beigongmen, and exit from D. After that, walk west for 3 minutes to the North Palace Gate.
 Take line 10 to Bagou Station. Then take Western Suburban Line to Yiheyuanximen Station. Walk north for 4 minutes to the West Gate of Summer Palace.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search
 

Summer Palace Tickets Price 

Ticket Type Price (CNY)
April to October November to March
Entrance Fee 30 20
Dehe Garden 5 5
Tower of Buddhist Incense 10 10
Summer Palace Museum 20 20
Suzhou Street and Danning Hall 10 10
Combo Ticket 60 50
Recommended Time for a Visit 3 hours

Note: Free for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet).
 

Summer Palace Beijing Hours

April - October November - March
06:00 - 20:00 06:30 - 19:00
 Note: Four gardens inside Summer Palace including Summer Palace Museum, Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Dehe Garden), Tower of Buddhist Incense and Suzhou Market Street are open from 08:00 to 17:30 (Apr.-Oct.) and 08:30 to 16:30 (Nov.-Mar.) and are closed on Mondays (except for public holidays).

Further Reading:

Imperial Waterway Cruise
Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing
Top 10 Places to Visit in Beijing
Where to Go in Beijing in Spring - Top 10 Destinations
15 Wonderful Places to See Snow in Beijing
Top 10 Beijing Historical Sites You Should Not Miss
- Last updated on Oct. 13, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Summer Palace
Asked by Hilary from MALAYSIA | Oct. 18, 2024 03:28Reply
Tix for foreigners
Can foreign visitors buy ticket at the entrance? If not, how do we buy if we chose not to go through an agent?
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 20, 2024 19:54
00Reply


Yes, you can but there may be no ticket left on public holidays. You can buy online through the WeChat account: 颐和园.
Asked by alex from CANADA | Oct. 15, 2024 09:22Reply
Is summer palace open on Mondays in November?
I am confused if it is only certain parts of the palace that is closed, and if so which? Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Oct. 15, 2024 22:40
00Reply


Summer Palace opens daily but the spots inside like Summer Palace Museum, Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Dehe Garden), Tower of Buddhist Incense and Suzhou Market Street are closed on Mondays except for public holidays.
Asked by Lee from THAILAND | Oct. 13, 2024 06:34Reply
Can I exit by West gate?
Hi,
I planned to visit the Summer Palace, and then, going to Xiangshan by Xijiao Line. Can I exit by West gate (Ximen)? Thank you in advance for kindly help.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 13, 2024 23:57
00Reply


Yes, you can exit by west gate. Have fun~
Asked by Viv from MALAYSIA | Sep. 22, 2024 01:30Reply
Luggage storage
How big or what is the space like for the luggage storage near the north palace gate and Exit D of Beigongmen Metro Station?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Sep. 23, 2024 01:31
00Reply


The one near exit D is like a gate house and the one at the north gate is like a small store.
Asked by Soon from MALAYSIA | Aug. 26, 2024 22:28Reply
Tickets for senior above 60 years old
1) Where and how to collect free entrance ticket for senior above 60 years old, any special lane for senior?
2) Free on combo ticket or admission ticket for senior?
3) In case no tickets are left on the day, will senior still allow to enter Summer Palace?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Aug. 27, 2024 18:39
00Reply


1. No need to collect a physical ticket and make a reservcation, just show the passport to the staff at the entrance.
2. The combo ticket and admission are all free for seniors.
3. Yes, seniors can enter without reservation by showing their passports.
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