Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Due to its historical importance and popularity, the Summer Palace is included in nearly all guided tours of Beijing. Though you could easily spend a half-day at the Summer Palace, it’s also possible to visit the palace, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven all in a single day. Other tour options might include the Summer Palace and Mutianyu Great Wall, or the Summer Palace and Lama Temple.

While general admission grants entry to the main palace complex, including the Long Corridor and Longevity Hill, some individual attractions have an additional cost, such as the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, Wenchang Gallery, and the Hall of Serenity.

• The Summer Palace is a must-see for history buffs and first-time visitors.

• Wear comfortable shoes; a palace visit involves a lot of walking, some of it over uneven surfaces.

• Book a guided tour to avoid waiting in long entry lines, particularly during high season or Chinese national holidays.

• The main entrances and most palace attractions are wheelchair accessible.

It’s easy to get to the Summer Palace by subway; take Line 4 to North Gate station or Line 10 to South Gate station. Numerous public buses also stop at the palace’s three entrances.

Due to its popularity among both Chinese and international tourists, the Summer Palace can get quite crowded during Chinese national holidays and the peak summer season (July and August). Visit first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Don’t leave the Summer Palace without taking a boat ride on Kunming Lake. Short cruises depart from the Marble Boat and take visitors past Nanhu Island, the Bronze Ox, and the beautiful 17-Arch Bridge, offering a different view of the palace complex along the way.

The Qing Dynasty Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is one of Beijing’s top attractions, due to the multitudes of ancient buildings, historical artifacts, and its beautifully manicured landscape. Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, and the ornate palaces on the property helped make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular for foreign and domestic tourists.

Plan half a day for your visit to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), including transport to and from Beijing. You can spend around 2–3 hours wandering through the grounds and buildings. If you want, extend your stay, and take a boat trip around the lake, relaxing away from the crowds.

The Summer Palace in Beijing is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring and fall— that’s when the temperatures are ideal for walking outside and enjoying the gardens and lakes. However, if you go during the off-season, you can avoid the large crowds of tourists.

There are different prices depending on the season and package you choose, so make sure to check before you go. Visitors can purchase an admission ticket or choose a combo experience. Combos often get you entrance to Wenchang Hall, Suzhou Street, Danning Hall, Dehe Garden, and a few more attractions.

You can easily take the subway on your own to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), which takes around a half hour from Beijing. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour, so you can hear all the facts and stories from a guide and enjoy seamless transportation planned for you.

Yes, the Summer Palace is worth visiting. Many say it’s a Chinese masterpiece of garden landscape. Many of the natural structures are impressively man-made, representing different areas of China such as Kunming and Hangzhou. Visitors can learn Chinese history, geography, culture, and more from the gardens, bridges, and cultural buildings.