Summer Palace

Introduction

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is the best-preserved imperial garden in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the northwestern edge of Beijing. Covering nearly 300 hectares, three-quarters of which is water, it was the lakeside retreat where Qing-dynasty emperors and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped the heat of the Forbidden City. The masterpiece pairs two natural elements, Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, with more than 3,000 man-made structures: pavilions, bridges, corridors and temples laid out according to classical Chinese garden principles. A visit feels like walking through a living scroll painting, and a relaxed half-day here is one of the most rewarding things to do in Beijing.

What to See

The centerpiece is the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge), an octagonal, four-story pagoda that crowns Longevity Hill and offers the postcard view over the lake. At its foot stretches the Long Corridor, a 728-meter covered walkway whose beams carry more than 14,000 hand-painted scenes from Chinese history and legend, making it the longest painted corridor in the world. Down by the water you will find the famous Marble Boat, a lakeside folly built of stone, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge linking the eastern shore to South Lake Island.

Don't miss the Garden of Virtue and Harmony with its grand three-story imperial theater, Suzhou Street, a recreated Qing-era shopping canal lined with little stores and stone bridges, and the elegant Wenchang Gallery.

Opening Hours

The park operates on two seasonal schedules. In peak season (April 1 to October 31) the grounds open 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with last admission at 7:00 PM. In off-season (November 1 to March 31) hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM. Interior special-attraction sites such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Suzhou Street and the museum keep shorter hours (roughly 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in peak season, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM off-season) and most close on Mondays except public holidays.

Tickets

Entry to the park is inexpensive: about CNY 30 in peak season and CNY 20 in off-season. A combination ticket that bundles park entry with the special interior attractions (Tower of Buddhist Incense, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Suzhou Street and the Wenchang Gallery) costs about CNY 60 in peak season and CNY 50 off-season and is the best value if you want to see everything. Tickets are released seven days in advance and weekends sell out fast; foreign visitors can reserve through the official Summer Palace WeChat account using a passport, then enter with the passport at the gate.

Getting There

The most convenient option is Beijing Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station (Exit D), which puts you right at the North Palace Gate. Line 4 to Xiyuan Station is closest to the East Palace Gate, the main entrance. Numerous city buses also stop nearby. A taxi or ride-hail from central Beijing takes around 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. If you arrive at the North Gate you can drift south through Suzhou Street and over the hill; from the East Gate you start near the main halls.

Best Season

Spring (April to May) brings blossoming peach and magnolia trees, while autumn (September to October) offers crisp blue skies and golden foliage reflected in the lake, generally the most photogenic window. Summer is lush and green but hot and crowded. In winter Kunming Lake often freezes over, the crowds thin, and the bare trees lend the palace a stark, classical beauty, just dress warmly.

Practical Tips

Plan for at least three to four hours; the grounds are vast and largely on foot. Enter at the North Palace Gate and exit at the East Gate (or vice versa) so you don't backtrack. From late April to October a dragon-boat ferry crosses Kunming Lake, a pleasant way to rest tired legs and gain a new perspective on Longevity Hill. Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes, and arrive early to beat both the heat and the tour groups.