Summer Palace Beijing: Gates, Routes and Tickets
Contents
The Summer Palace combines three landscapes in northwest Beijing: the former Qing court buildings, Longevity Hill and the broad waters of Kunming Lake. The Beijing municipal visitor page describes the palace halls where emperors and empress dowagers worked and lived, the hill's temple complex, and lake landmarks including South Lake Island and the West Causeway. It is a large garden, so choose a gate and a few priorities before setting out rather than trying to cover every corner.
Choose a route around the main areas
For palace history and the Long Corridor, begin at the East Palace Gate. The Beijing municipal visitor guide associates that gate with Xiyuan Station on Metro Line 4. Its sample Route 1 links the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Hall of Jade Ripples, Yiyun Hall, Hall of Happiness and Longevity, and the Long Corridor.
If you would rather start near the hill and Suzhou Street, the same guide associates the North Palace Gate with Beigongmen Station on Line 4. Its sample Route 2 goes from Suzhou Street past the Marble Boat and along the Long Corridor. These are published sightseeing routes, not live access notices. Check the current map, gate access and closing times before choosing your entry and exit.
Things to Do
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Decide whether to climb
The municipal page identifies the Tower of Buddhist Incense, Hall of Dispelling Clouds and Sea of Wisdom Temple among the Longevity Hill area's landmarks. A hill route adds steps and climbing; the palace and lake areas offer a lower-level alternative. The East Gate route offers a court-and-corridor sequence, while the North Gate route starts closer to the hill. Match the route to your walking plans and leave time to return to the gate you choose.
Tickets and seasonal hours
The Beijing municipal visitor page checked on 7 October 2026 lists the main entrance gate as open 6:00 to 19:00 from April 1 through October 31, with the park closing at 20:00. From November 1 through March 31, it lists gate hours of 6:30 to 18:00 and park closing at 19:00. Separately charged attractions have shorter hours; the listed off-season schedule closes them on Mondays except important festivals and holidays. The page displays full-price admission of CNY 30 in peak season and CNY 20 off season, plus discounted amounts of CNY 15 and CNY 10. It shows no publication or update date, so confirm the hours and ticket terms for your visit.
The same page says visitors can book one to seven days in advance through the park's official WeChat account, attend at the selected time with a passport, or buy at a comprehensive service window in the gate area. It does not specify combined-ticket inclusions in this listing. If you plan to enter a separately charged hall or attraction, check exactly which ticket covers it before paying.
Plan transport and time on site
Use the guide's station-to-gate references as a starting point, then check the current Beijing transit map and station exits. If you enter at one gate and leave at another, plan for the distance across the grounds and verify that both gates will serve your route. The published sample routes can help you choose among the court, hill and lake areas, but the pages do not give a current boat route or fare. Do not build a timed lake crossing into your plan without checking locally.
For more ideas around Beijing, see our China travel guide.
Sources and background
These sources support the topics listed below, not every statement or current price in this article.
- [1] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: Summer Palace visitor guide. Retrieved October 7, 2026. Access, Admission, History, Culture
- [2] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: The Summer Palace. Retrieved October 7, 2026. Access, Admission, Opening hours, History, Culture
Frequently Asked Questions
The Beijing visitor guide links East Palace Gate with Xiyuan Station on Metro Line 4 and gives a sample route through the main halls and the Long Corridor. Confirm current gate access and station exits before travelling.
The same guide links North Palace Gate with Beigongmen Station on Line 4. Its sample route starts at Suzhou Street, then passes the Marble Boat and Long Corridor. Check the current map and access notices before setting out.
The municipal visitor page groups the grounds into the palace area, Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Choose court buildings for Qing history, the hill for its temple landmarks, or the lake area for South Lake Island and the West Causeway.
The municipal page checked on 7 October 2026 displays main admission at CNY 30 peak season or CNY 20 off season, with discounted listings of CNY 15 and CNY 10. It also notes separately charged attractions. The page shows no publication date, so verify the amount and any attraction ticket needed before you go.
The municipal page says tickets can be booked one to seven days ahead through the park WeChat account, with a passport for entry at the selected time. It also lists ticket purchase at a service window in the gate area. Recheck the current booking instructions before your visit.
The page lists different seasonal gate and park closing hours, and shorter hours for separately charged attractions. Its off-season Monday closures have an exception for important festivals and holidays. The schedule is undated, so use it as a planning reference and confirm the hours and closure rules for your visit date.
The municipal pages reviewed here do not provide a current boat route, fare or departure time. Plan sightseeing along the shore unless you confirm a boat service and its operating details locally.
The municipal guide presents three different sample routes through the court, hill and lake areas. Choose a route around your priorities and walking pace; the pages do not give a reliable duration for covering the whole grounds.
