Summer Palace Beijing: Gates, Routes and Tickets
Choose a Summer Palace gate and route, compare the palace, hill and lake areas, and check ticket prices and seasonal hours before visiting.
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 palace halls are where emperors and empress dowagers worked and lived, the hill carries a temple complex, and the lake has landmarks such as South Lake Island and the West Causeway.[1] The garden is large, so choose a gate and a few priorities before you set out rather than trying to cover every corner.
Choose a route around the main areas
For palace history and the Long Corridor, enter at the East Palace Gate, which is linked to Xiyuan Station on Metro Line 4. The Beijing municipal visitor guide suggests Route 1 from there: 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.[2]
To start near the hill and Suzhou Street, enter at the North Palace Gate, linked to Beigongmen Station on Line 4. Route 2 goes from Suzhou Street past the Marble Boat and along the Long Corridor.[2] Check the park map at the gate for current access and closing times before you choose where to enter and leave.
Things to Do
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GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Decide whether to climb
Longevity Hill has the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of Dispelling Clouds and the Sea of Wisdom Temple.[1] A hill route means steps and climbing. The palace and lake areas are the lower-level alternative. The East Gate route gives you a court-and-corridor sequence, and the North Gate route starts closer to the hill. Match the route to your legs and leave time to walk back to your gate.
Tickets and seasonal hours
From 1 April to 31 October, the main gate is open from 06:00 to 19:00 and the park closes at 20:00. From 1 November to 31 March, the gate is open from 06:30 to 18:00 and the park closes at 19:00. Separately charged attractions keep shorter hours, and in the off season they close on Mondays except on important festivals and holidays. Full-price admission is CNY 30 in peak season and CNY 20 off season, with discounted tickets at CNY 15 and CNY 10.[1]
You can book one to seven days in advance through the park’s official WeChat account and enter at the selected time with your passport, or buy at a comprehensive service window in the gate area.[1] A combined ticket covering the park and its separately charged attractions costs CNY 60 in peak season and CNY 50 off season. Separately, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony costs CNY 5, the Palace Museum CNY 20, the Tower of Buddhist Incense CNY 10 and Suzhou Street CNY 10.[2] Before you enter a separately charged hall, check which ticket covers it.
Plan transport and time on site
Use the station-to-gate links as your starting point, and check the Beijing metro map for exits. If you enter at one gate and leave at another, allow for the distance across the grounds. The sample routes help you choose among the court, hill and lake areas. For a boat across Kunming Lake, ask locally about the route, fare and departure time before you build it into your day.
For more ideas around Beijing, see our China travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: The Summer Palace. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [2] The People's Government of Beijing Municipality: Summer Palace visitor guide. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The East Palace Gate, linked to Xiyuan Station on Metro Line 4. The municipal visitor guide suggests a route through the main halls and the Long Corridor from there.
The North Palace Gate, linked to Beigongmen Station on Line 4. The suggested route starts at Suzhou Street, then passes the Marble Boat and the Long Corridor.
The palace area, Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Choose the court buildings for Qing history, the hill for its temple landmarks, or the lake for South Lake Island and the West Causeway.
Main admission costs CNY 30 in peak season and CNY 20 off season, with discounted tickets at CNY 15 and CNY 10. A combined ticket covering the park and its separately charged attractions costs CNY 60 in peak season and CNY 50 off season. Check which ticket covers any separately charged attraction before you pay.
Yes. Book one to seven days ahead through the park’s WeChat account and enter at the selected time with your passport, or buy at a service window in the gate area.
From April to October the main gate is open from 06:00 to 19:00 and the park closes at 20:00. From November to March the gate is open from 06:30 to 18:00 and the park closes at 19:00. Separately charged attractions keep shorter hours and close on Mondays in the off season, except on important festivals and holidays.
Ask locally about the route, fare and departure time. If you cannot confirm a boat, plan your sightseeing along the shore.
The municipal guide suggests several routes through the court, hill and lake areas. Choose one around your priorities and walking pace rather than trying to cover the whole grounds.
