The Summer Palace Guide: A 3-Hour Walking Route & Visitor Tips

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) served as a summer retreat for the imperial family. Completed in 1764 and originally named Qingyi Garden, the park was used by emperors living in the western suburbs of Beijing, a tradition that began with Emperor Yongzheng. The name "Yiheyuan" translates to "nurturing harmony."

Covering 290 hectares—three-quarters of which is water—the Summer Palace comprises over 100 buildings, 20 courtyards, and a 700-meter Long Corridor featuring over 14,000 paintings.

The Summer Palace

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Tickets & Hours

Tickets can be purchased in advance or on-site upon arrival.

Ticket Prices:

• Peak Season (Apr 1 – Oct 31): 30 CNY (Through Ticket: 60 CNY)

• Off-Peak Season (Nov 1 – Mar 31): 20 CNY (Through Ticket: 50 CNY)

• Note: The "Through Ticket" includes entry to the park and the inner gardens.

• Individual Inner Garden Tickets: Dehe Garden (5 CNY), Summer Palace Museum (20 CNY), Tower of Buddhist Incense (10 CNY), Suzhou Street (10 CNY).

Opening Hours:

• Peak Season: Opens 6:00 | Last Entry 19:00 | Closes 20:00

• Off-Peak Season: Opens 6:30 | Last Entry 18:00 | Closes 19:00

Luggage Storage

Luggage storage is available at the following locations:

• East Gate / Xiyuan Subway Station Area: Open 24 hours.

• North Palace Gate (Beigongmen) Area: Open from 08:00 to 23:00.

Luggage Storage

Key Landmarks

The park is divided into Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Core landmarks include:

1. Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge): The primary landmark of the park. It offers panoramic views of Kunming Lake and the 17-Arch Bridge.

2. Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian): The location where emperors handled state affairs and received foreign envoys. It is a birthplace of the Hundred Days' Reform.

3. Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshou Tang): The primary residence of Empress Dowager Cixi. The courtyard features two ancient magnolia trees.

4. Hall of Dispelling Clouds (Paiyun Dian): Built by Emperor Qianlong for his mother's 60th birthday.

5. 17-Arch Bridge: The longest bridge in Chinese imperial gardens, spanning Kunming Lake and featuring 544 carved stone lions.

6. Strolling Through a Picture (Huazhongyou): A pavilion complex on the hillside, built based on a record of Emperor Qianlong's dream.

7. Four Great Regions (Sida Buzhou): A Tibetan and Han style architectural complex built into the mountain by Emperor Qianlong to consolidate border cultures.

Huazhongyou

3-Hour Itinerary (No Backtracking)

This 6km route covers the core sights:

• Start: Enter via the North Palace Gate (Beigongmen) to avoid tour groups starting at the East Gate.

• Stop 1: View the Han-Tibetan architecture at the Four Great Regions.

• Stop 2: Walk to the Strolling Through a Picture complex.

• Stop 3: Walk down to the Long Corridor and Jilan Pavilion to view the ceiling paintings.

• Stop 4: Ascend to the Tower of Buddhist Incense.

• Stop 5: View the Marble Boat.

• Stop 6: Walk along Kunming Lake to the 17-Arch Bridge.

• Finish: Exit via the New Palace Gate (Xinjianggongmen).

Foxiang Ge

Visitor Tips

• Time: Visit on a weekday morning for fewer crowds. Late afternoon visits offer sunset views over Longevity Hill.

• Footwear: Wear sports shoes. The park features uneven stone paths and steep steps near the Tower of Buddhist Incense; avoid high heels.

• Food & Drink: Food and beverages inside the park are expensive. Bring water and snacks.