The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is far more than just a park or an imperial complex—it is a true masterpiece of Chinese art, where history, nature, and architecture blend seamlessly together. Located only a few kilometers from the bustling center of Beijing, it offers visitors a serene escape: the shimmering Kunming Lake, elegant pavilions, painted corridors, and majestic hills.
Originally built in 1750 and later expanded in the 19th century by Empress Dowager Cixi, the palace served as the summer retreat for Qing dynasty emperors. Today, it remains a place where travelers from around the world come to experience the spirit of ancient China and enjoy one of the capital’s most enchanting landmarks.
We’ve put together a travel guide to visiting the Summer Palace in Beijing. In this article, you’ll learn where to buy tickets and their current prices, the palace’s opening hours, what to see, how to get there, whether it’s better to explore on your own or join a guided tour, and all the essential information you need to plan your visit.
Ticket Prices for the Summer Palace in Beijing
To enter the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) in Beijing, you can choose from two types of tickets. A standard admission ticket gives you access to the main pavilions and Kunming Lake. Prices vary by season: from April to October the ticket costs 30 RMB per person, and from November to March it is 20 RMB.
You can also book a combo ticket, which includes access to the main attractions as well as the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Wenchang Gallery, and the Suzhou Street area. The price for the combo ticket is 60 RMB during peak season and 50 RMB in the low season.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Beijing Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
You can purchase tickets for the Summer Palace in Beijing at the ticket office located at the entrance. However, during peak season, long lines are common. A more convenient option is to buy tickets online through the official website. The only drawback is the limited payment methods and the fact that part of the website interface is only available in Chinese.
In China, many tickets are also sold through the WeChat app, but registering requires a Chinese phone number. Another easy option is to book through international platforms that sell admission tickets and day tours, such as Klook or Trip.
Summer Palace in Beijing: Guided Tour or Audio Guide
Choosing between an audio guide and a guided tour depends on your preferences, time, and budget. If you’d like to stroll leisurely through the palace grounds and explore every corner at your own pace, the audio guide is a convenient option. It’s available in 19 languages, costs 40 RMB, and requires a 50 RMB deposit, which is refunded afterward.
On the other hand, if you’re short on time and want to combine the Summer Palace with other major sights in Beijing in a single day, a guided tour may be a better fit. Private day tours are usually more expensive, but they give you the chance to ask questions and learn in depth along the way. Depending on the language you prefer, tours of the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) can be booked through platforms like GetYourGuide or Klook.
How to Get to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
The Summer Palace in Beijing is located at 19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Haidian District, China, 100091. You can reach it by subway, bus, or taxi. If you’re staying in the Haidian District or near Peking University, it’s even possible to walk there.
The palace grounds are vast, so choosing the right entrance is important. Below you’ll find a map of the complex showing all available gates (zoom in for easier viewing). The most convenient entrance for reaching the main attractions is the North Gate – Beigongmen.
By Bus
Getting to the Summer Palace in Beijing by bus is straightforward. You can take one of the following routes: 74, 209, 303, 319, 320, 330, 331, 332, 333, 346, 374, 375, 384, 394, 432, 437, 438, 469, 498, 539, 628, 664, 683, 690, 696, 704, 716, 718, 726, 732, 737, 801, 808, 817, 826, 904, 905, 907, 952.
Different buses will bring you to different palace entrances. For example, if you’re heading to the New Gate, take bus numbers 74, 374, or 437 and get off at the Xin Jian Gong Men stop.
To reach the West Gate, take buses 469 or 539 and get off at Yiheyuan Ximen. From there, walk north about 300 meters to the entrance.
Bus 303 goes directly to the East Gate, where you should get off at the Yiheyuan stop.
The North Gate has the most bus connections. Buses 303, 346, 394, 563, and 584 all stop at Yiheyuan Beigongmen.
By Subway
If you’d like to reach the Summer Palace by subway, you can take Line 4 or Line 10. If you choose Line 4, get off at Beigongmen Station and exit through Exit D, which brings you directly to the North Gate.
If you take Line 10, you’ll need to transfer at Bagou Station. From there, switch to the Western Suburban Line and get off at Yiheyuanximen Station.
If you plan to travel frequently by public transport in China, it’s a good idea to buy a transport card that works for both buses and subways. It can be used in many cities across the country and is easy to pick up upon arrival at the airport, click here to purchase one.
Opening Hours of the Beijing Summer Palace
The opening hours of the palace grounds vary by season. From April to October, the park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with last entry at 7:00 p.m. From November to March, it is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with last entry at 6:00 p.m.
The galleries and pavilions inside the Summer Palace also follow seasonal schedules. During peak season, they are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and in the low season from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What to See at the Summer Palace in Beijing
With so many attractions spread across the vast grounds of Yiheyuan, it’s recommended to set aside at least a couple of hours for your visit—ideally half a day.
Kunming Lake and the Sights Around It
The man-made Kunming Lake is the centerpiece of the Summer Palace in Beijing, covering nearly three-quarters of the entire complex. Both on the lake and along its shores you’ll find many fascinating spots that are simply unmissable. In summer, you can even take a boat ride across the lake to enjoy a fresh perspective of the palace grounds. A boat trip costs 40 RMB.
On the northwest shore of Kunming Lake stands the Marble Boat. Built from marble and iron, it measures about 36 meters in length. The boat is decorated in traditional Chinese style, featuring colorful glass windows, carved wooden details, and intricate mosaics. Its upper section is designed as a pavilion with a roof.
Another highlight is the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which stretches across Kunming Lake and links the main palace grounds to Nanhu Island (South Lake Island). Constructed from white stone, the bridge is lined with beautifully carved lion figures along its railings.
Be sure to walk across the bridge to Nanhu Island, where you’ll also find plenty to explore, including temples and pavilions.
The Long Corridor
Stretching for about 728 meters, the Long Corridor is the longest covered walkway in the world. It is decorated with more than 14,000 colorful paintings and illustrations. These artworks depict scenes from Chinese mythology, historical events, natural landscapes, and episodes from classical literature.
Longevity Hill
Located on the northern shore of Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill forms the centerpiece of the palace complex. Rising about 60 meters high, it was artificially created using the soil excavated during the construction of Kunming Lake. The hill is home to numerous temples and pavilions dedicated to Buddhist deities.
For example, here you’ll find the Tower of Buddhist Incense, which rises 41 meters high. The tower serves as a place of worship and meditation, symbolizing spiritual purification and well-being.
What to Know Before Your Visit
If you’d rather not book a guided tour of the Summer Palace, the official website offers ready-made routes designed to fit different timeframes—ranging from an hour and a half to two or three hours. Simply download your preferred route as an image to your phone and set off to explore the complex on your own.
It’s best to arrive early in the morning before the crowds, wear comfortable shoes, and bring enough water with you.
Many of the information boards are also available in English, though not all of them. Additionally, internet connection inside the grounds can be unreliable, so it’s a good idea to download a map in advance.
