Summer Palace颐和园
The Summer Palace is China's largest surviving imperial garden, centred on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with the 728-metre Long Corridor covered in exquisite paintings. First built as a Qing dynasty retreat and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi with diverted navy funds, it is the crowning achievement of classical Chinese landscape gardening, inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1998.
Beijing · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Summer Palace worth visiting?
Empress Dowager Cixi's summer palace in Beijing, about 290 hectares with Kunming Lake covering three quarters; entry 50-60 yuan, 728-metre Long Corridor, built in 1750, UNESCO-listed in 1998.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 60 in peak season, CNY 50 off-season; combo ticket includes the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Suzhou Street |
|---|---|
| Hours | 6:30-20:00 (peak season), 7:00-19:00 (off-season) |
| Recommended duration | 3-5 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-May for spring flowers, September-October for autumn foliage, summer boating on Kunming Lake |
| How to get there | Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen Station Exit D, or buses 303, 331, 332 |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Area | About 290 hectares |
| Water coverage | About 3/4 of the grounds |
| Long Corridor length | 728 m, more than 14,000 paintings |
| Year built | 1750 (Qianlong era, Qing dynasty) |
| World Heritage | Inscribed in 1998 |
| Main sights | Tower of Buddhist Incense, Palace of Cloud Dispelling, Kunming Lake, Seventeen-Arch Bridge |
What to expect
The Summer Palace was originally named Qingyi Garden and built by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's 60th birthday. Burned by the Anglo-French forces in 1860 and rebuilt from 1888 by Empress Dowager Cixi with diverted naval funds, it was renamed the Summer Palace. With refined architecture and a landscape where hill and water embrace, it marks the summit of classical Chinese garden art.
Kunming Lake covers about three quarters of the grounds — an expanse of open water spanned by the Seventeen-Arch Bridge linking the east shore with Nanhu Island. The Long Corridor is the longest garden walkway in the world; its beams carry paintings of historical episodes, myths and legends, flowers, birds, fish and insects — a new scene with every step.
The Tower of Buddhist Incense is the highest point of the grounds; climb it for a full panorama of Kunming Lake. The Palace of Cloud Dispelling was Cixi's residence and is grand in scale. Enter by the North Palace Gate and tour the Long Corridor, the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Kunming Lake in order, leaving by the East Palace Gate.
How to get there
Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen Station Exit D or Xiyuan Station Exit C2, then about 10 minutes on foot
Best photo spots
- Seventeen-Arch Bridge and Kunming Lake
- Close-ups of the Long Corridor paintings
- Panorama from the Tower of Buddhist Incense
- Sunset reflections on Kunming Lake
Tips
- Enter by the North Palace Gate and walk counter-clockwise to dodge the crowds
- Peak-season crowds are heavy; arrive before 8:00
- Boats ply Kunming Lake — the rowing boats have the most charm
- Food inside is pricey; bring a simple picnic
Scams to avoid
- Beware of unlicensed guides with phony commentary
- Do not trust strangers offering a supposed 'express route'
Frequently asked questions
Are the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace the same place?
No. The Summer Palace is intact and a Qing imperial garden; the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) is a ruin park burned in 1860
Is there a lot of walking inside?
Yes — wear comfortable shoes; boats and sightseeing carts are available
Can I ride a bicycle inside?
No, bicycles are banned inside the grounds
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