Summer Palace: The Ultimate Travel Guide

The Summer Palace is one of China's most famous imperial gardens. It is located at 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing, approximately 959 km from Wuzhong Tongxin. Here's a travel guide to help you plan your trip. Opening Hours: The Summer Palace is open daily from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm. Tickets: Tickets cost CNY 20. Discounts are available for students, seniors, children, and military personnel. Suggested Routes Classic Route: Enter through the East Palace Gate and visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, the Long Corridor, the Hall of Dispelling Clouds, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and the Marble Boat. Take a boat to Nanhu Island and visit the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, the Bronze Ox, the ZhiChun Pavilion, and the Wenchang Gallery. Finally, exit through the East Palace Gate. This route takes approximately 4–6 hours. Leisurely Route: Enter through the North Palace Gate and visit Suzhou Street, the Four Continents, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Long Corridor, and the Marble Boat. Stroll along the west bank of Kunming Lake, visit the West Causeway, and exit through the South Ruyi Gate. This route takes approximately 3–5 hours. Quick Route: Take Subway Line 4 to the North Palace Gate Station. Walk 3 minutes to the North Palace Gate. After entering the park, visit Suzhou Street, the Garden of Harmonious Interest, the Long Corridor, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense. Finally, exit through the North Palace Gate. This route takes approximately 2–3 hours. Main Attractions Tower of Buddhist Incense: The landmark building of the Summer Palace. It is an octagonal, three-story structure with four eaves. It sits on a hill facing the lake. Inside, a statue of the "Guiding Buddha" is enshrined. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of Kunming Lake. Long Corridor: The longest covered walkway in any Chinese garden. It stretches 728 meters from the Inviting Moon Gate in the east to the Shizhang Pavilion in the west. It has 273 sections, and its beams and rafters are decorated with over 8,000 colorful paintings of figures, landscapes, flowers, and birds. It is known as the "world's longest corridor." Seventeen-Arch Bridge: Connects the east bank of Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island. It is named after its 17 arches. The stone railings on both sides of the bridge are carved with over 500 stone lions in various poses. There is also a vivid bronze ox sculpture at the bridgehead. Suzhou Street: Located at the western foot of Longevity Hill, this is a shopping street modeled after a water town in southern China. Built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, it imitates the style of water towns in the Jiangnan region and was exclusively for the emperor and empress to stroll and shop. Garden of Harmonious Interest: Located in the western part of Longevity Hill, this complex of buildings is set against a picturesque landscape. It was built by Emperor Qianlong, imitating the scenery of Jiangnan. It offers stunning views of Kunming Lake. Food Recommendations Near ZhiChun Pavilion: Traditional Beijing cuisine, such as Peking duck and Kung Pao chicken. Near Suzhou Street: Local snacks, such as Wandaohuang (pea flour cake) and Lǘdagun (glutinous rice rolls with soybean flour). Other restaurants in the park: Offer a variety of cuisines, including imperial snacks and lotus banquets. Things to Note Pay attention to safety, especially in areas like Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. During summer, temperatures can be high. Remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. The Summer Palace is quite large. Plan your time wisely to avoid missing important attractions. Purchase tickets upon arrival. Please bring valid identification. Here is some additional information about the Summer Palace: We hope this guide helps you enjoy your trip to the Summer Palace!