Summer Palace Palace

Address: Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), Beijing (northwest of central Beijing)

Hours: Daily (seasonal variations) - check official site for current hours.

Admission: Admission charged (main-park and palace access; seasonal pricing).

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is an extensive imperial garden and palace complex in northwest Beijing that served as a retreat for Qing dynasty emperors. It is centred on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill and is noted for its landscape design and preserved pavilions.

The grounds combine a large artificial lake, wooded hillsides, ornate pavilions and long covered walkways; key attractions include the Long Corridor, extensive lakeside promenades and the Marble Boat pavilion. Visitors commonly take boat rides on Kunming Lake and walk the decorated corridors and hilltop terraces for views over the complex.

The site was expanded and redesigned in stages by Qing emperors; major 19th-century rebuilding under Empress Dowager Cixi shaped much of the present appearance. It became a public park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the late 20th century after conservation of buildings and landscapes.

Located in the Haidian District of Beijing, the Summer Palace lies northwest of the city centre and is accessible by metro and bus; it forms one of the principal historic garden ensembles in the capital.

• Long Corridor length: The Long Corridor is about 728 metres long and connects the main palace areas on Longevity Hill, forming one of the Summer Palace’s best-known features.
• Lake and Marble Boat: Kunming Lake covers the majority of the site and was laid out to provide reflective water vistas; the Marble Boat is a conspicuous lakeside pavilion rebuilt in the Qing period.

What to See#

• Kunming Lake: Kunming Lake, an extensive artificial lake occupying the western part of the grounds and forming the centrepiece for boating and viewlines.
• Longevity Hill: Longevity Hill, the hillock surmounted by temples, pavilions and the Long Corridor with views across the grounds.
• Long Corridor and Painted Walkways: The Long Corridor, a covered walkway measuring approximately 728 metres in length, decorated with painted scenes along its beams.

Summer Palace (Beijing) is in Haidian District about 20-25 km northwest of central Beijing. By subway take Beijing Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen (北宫门) or Xiyuan (西苑) station; from Beigongmen it’s roughly a 10-15 minute walk to the north gate. By car allow about 30-60 minutes from central Beijing depending on traffic; follow the city ring roads northwest toward the Summer Palace signs and park entrances.

• Visit early in the morning (right when the gates open) to see Kunming Lake calm and to avoid the midday tour-bus rush; later afternoons can also be pleasant when many day groups leave.
• Use Beijing Subway Line 4 to get there-Beigongmen station brings you to the north gate and Xiyuan/Beigongmen access points are both much quicker than long bus rides from central Beijing.
• Don't rush the northern/backside sections: many visitors focus on the Long Corridor and Hall of Prayer but miss the quieter walks around Longevity Hill's northern paths and the Suzhou-street area along the lake for less crowded views.
• Buy an entrance ticket that includes boat rides across Kunming Lake if you want the classic lakeside perspective; taking a short boat trip will give you views most land-only visitors don't get.