How do I get to the Summer Palace and how long should I stay?

It has direct metro access, so no taxi is needed. Plan three to four hours to walk the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, and circle part of the lake, which makes up three-quarters of the park. Go by 9am in summer to avoid both the heat and the tour buses. Spring and autumn mornings are the most pleasant times to visit.

Can you take a boat at the Summer Palace?

Yes. In the warmer months you can rent a small electric boat on Kunming Lake and cross toward Nanhu Island, a relaxing way to see the pavilions from the water. If you prefer to stay dry and dodge crowds, walk the West Causeway instead, which is far quieter than the main lakeside paths near the Long Corridor.

Summer Palace, Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Qing imperial garden retreat around Kunming Lake — pavilions, painted corridor, and the marble boat.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 颐和园 (Yí Hé Yuán)
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (Sept-Oct) mornings
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking · tickets & prices →
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 19 Xinjian Gongmen Rd, Haidian District, Beijing · 海淀区新建宫门路19号

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Summer Palace map & getting there

Map of Summer Palace (颐和园) in Beijing — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Beijing map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 海淀区新建宫门路19号 · 19 Xinjian Gongmen Rd, Haidian District, Beijing

The Summer Palace was the Qing dynasty’s imperial summer retreat — 290 hectares of designed landscape around Kunming Lake, set against the slopes of Longevity Hill. Originally built in 1750 and rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi in the 1880s after Anglo-French troops destroyed it, the complex blends imperial palace architecture with the aesthetics of a southern Chinese garden. Highlights include the 728-meter Long Corridor (the world’s longest painted gallery, with 14,000+ scenes from Chinese mythology), the seven-story Tower of Buddhist Incense crowning Longevity Hill, and the famous Marble Boat — Cixi’s ostentatious folly funded with money intended to modernize the navy. The lake makes up three-quarters of the park; rent a small electric boat in summer or walk the West Causeway for fewer crowds. UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. Go by 9 AM in summer to avoid the heat and the buses.

Highlights

Long Corridor (长廊)728m painted gallery; spot the 14,000+ scenes from Chinese myth
Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁)Climb Longevity Hill for the panoramic Kunming Lake view
Marble Boat (石舫)Cixi’s ironic monument — built with navy modernization funds
Kunming Lake Boat (昆明湖游船)Rent an electric boat in summer; cross to Nanhu Island
Suzhou Street (苏州街)Recreated southern Chinese commercial street, behind the hill

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Enter via the North Palace Gate near Suzhou Street and walk downhill over the hill, much easier than climbing up from the lake side.
The West Causeway is the quietest stretch in the whole park, most tour groups never leave the Long Corridor and Marble Boat area.
For the classic Tower of Buddhist Incense reflection shot, walk to the far east shore of Kunming Lake in the morning.
Suzhou Street, the recreated southern canal town behind the hill, charges a small extra fee and is usually near-empty.
Bring cash, the park is largely cash-only and the boat rentals and snack stands rarely take foreign cards.
Skip the Marble Boat as a destination, it’s a quick photo, not a stop, the lake views nearby are the real reward.
Seventeen-Arch Bridge to Nanhu Island catches warm light at the end of the day if you stay into late afternoon.

Photos

A peaceful view of the Summer Palace in Beijing with clear blue skies and calm waters.

Scenic view of the Summer Palace in Beijing surrounded by lush greenery and serene water.

Willow branches frame a tranquil lake at sunset.

Beautiful view of the Summer Palace at sunset with a serene lake and city skyline in Beijing, China.

Show all 14 photos

Sunrise over a tranquil lake with a bridge.

Scenic view of the Summer Palace with tree in foreground, Beijing, China.

A beautiful view of the Summer Palace in Beijing, with boats on the lake during daylight.

A scenic view of the Summer Palace in Beijing with lush greenery and a calm lake under a bright blue sky.

Low angle view of the Summer Palace's Tower of Buddhist Incense in Beijing, China, under a blue sky.

An inner courtyard of Wenchang Gallery in Summer Palace complex in Beijing

Beijing, China: A door at the Boathouses for Imperial Pleasure Barges

View of the Pagoda at The Imperial Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan), Beijing, China, prior to its destruction by the English and French armies. October 1860

Ico

What visitors say about Summer Palace

TripAdvisor4.5(15,123 reviews)Trip.com4.7(50,380 reviews)

Consistently praised: serene lakeside scenery, the painted long corridor, and imperial gardens more relaxed than the forbidden city

Most common gripe: huge crowds on the main axis and lots of walking between sights

Platform ratings as of 2026-07

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Frequently asked questions about Summer Palace

Is the Summer Palace worth visiting in Beijing?: Yes. It’s the Qing dynasty’s vast imperial garden retreat, around 290 hectares of designed landscape set around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Highlights include the 728-meter Long Corridor, the world’s longest painted gallery, the Tower of Buddhist Incense crowning the hill, and the famous Marble Boat. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feels more relaxed than the Forbidden City.
How do I get to the Summer Palace and how long should I stay?: It has direct metro access, so no taxi is needed. Plan three to four hours to walk the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, and circle part of the lake, which makes up three-quarters of the park. Go by 9am in summer to avoid both the heat and the tour buses. Spring and autumn mornings are the most pleasant times to visit.
Can you take a boat at the Summer Palace?: Yes. In the warmer months you can rent a small electric boat on Kunming Lake and cross toward Nanhu Island, a relaxing way to see the pavilions from the water. If you prefer to stay dry and dodge crowds, walk the West Causeway instead, which is far quieter than the main lakeside paths near the Long Corridor.