Overview
Key takeaway
Imperial garden retreat with Kunming Lake, the Long Corridor (728m of painted galleries), and Buddhist temples. A UNESCO site.
Time & cost
Plan 3–4 hours. Budget: $4–$8. Hours: 06:30–18:00 (summer), 07:00–17:00 (winter).
Best for
Best for first-time Beijing visitors who want a clear 3–4 hours stop without guesswork.
Practical
Price$4–$8
Duration3–4 hours
Hours06:30–18:00 (summer), 07:00–17:00 (winter)
Getting thereMetro Line 4 to Beigongmen
Tips
On site
Rent a boat on Kunming Lake (¥80/hour).
Timing
The Long Corridor paintings tell Chinese stories.
Timing
Leave with hours in mind (06:30–18:00 (summer), 07:00–17:00 (winter)). Weekends and holidays need extra queue time.
Pay
Nearby stalls usually take Alipay or WeChat. Foreign-card terminals are rare — set up Alipay before you go.
Show this
Show the Chinese name “颐和园” to drivers and staff. It beats a long English explanation.
Location & how to go
Summer Palace, Beijing
MetroMetro Line 4 to Beigongmen
BusCity buses serve the area, but routes change. Use Amap/Baidu for the live stop and last bus near Summer Palace.
Taxi / DidiDidi or a licensed taxi is the simplest door-to-door. Set destination to “颐和园” and pay in-app with Alipay/WeChat.
