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.


 

 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.

Recommended Tours

1 Day Private Beijing Tour to Summer Palace from $109

Day Tour to Temple of Heaven, Hutong & Summer Palace from $99

2 Days Beijing Mini Group Tour from $169

Beijing 4-Day Tour Itinerary from $529

Go for more Maps of Summer Palace

Pagoda 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. 
 

 Travel Tips      FAQs         Ecard
 

 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.
 

 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
 

 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).

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