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Summer PalacePopular

Summer Palace

Imperial garden retreat with Kunming Lake, the Long Corridor (728m of painted galleries), and Buddhist temples. A UNE…

SightsCity & NightlifeHanfu & Culture
★★★★★4.6(24 reviews)

$4–$8

3–4 hours

Beijing city guide →

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.

Show to staff

你好，请问入口在哪里？我有预约/门票，谢谢。

Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn rùkǒu zài nǎlǐ? Wǒ yǒu yùyuē / ménpiào, xièxie.

Hi — where is the entrance? I have a reservation/ticket. Thank you.

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.

Reviews

★★★★★4.6· 24 verified reviews

Editor verification notes

Operational notes from the ChinaPie editorial team — not traveler ratings, and not counted toward stars.

  • ChinaPie Editors
    Editor verification note

    We re-checked the opening hours and metro exit on site; signage matches the guide above.

  • ChinaPie Editors
    Editor verification note

    Editor note: the English-friendly entrance is often the south or main visitor gate — confirm on the day. Show any QR from this guide at the ticket booth.

Guide Q&A

How much are tickets for Summer Palace?

$4–$8

What are the opening hours of Summer Palace?

06:30–18:00 (summer), 07:00–17:00 (winter)

How do I get to Summer Palace?

Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen

How long should I spend at Summer Palace?

3–4 hours

Any practical tips for Summer Palace?

Rent a boat on Kunming Lake (¥80/hour). The Long Corridor paintings tell Chinese stories.

Is Summer Palace in Beijing easy for first-time visitors?

Yes as a typical tourist stop. Save the metro stop, screenshot tickets/hours, and allow extra time on weekends.

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