The Summer Palace occupies 3.008 square kilometers, three-fourths of which is water, mainly the Kunming Lake at the foot of Longevity Hill. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, gardens, and other ancient-style architectural structures. Well known for its large and priceless collection of cultural relics, it was among the first group of historical and cultural heritage sites in China to be placed under special state protection.

          Summer Palace [Photo via tuchong.com]

The Summer Palace, originally named Qingyi Yuan or the Garden of Clear Ripples, was first constructed in 1750. It was razed to the ground by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860. The Government of the Qing Dynasty started to rebuild it in 1886 with funds that was misappropriated from the Imperial Navy and other sources. Renamed two years later as Yihe Yuan or the Garden of Health and Harmony, it was supposed to serve as a summer resort for the Empress Dowager Cixi. Also known as the Summer Palace, it was ravaged by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers that invaded China in 1900. The damage was repaired in 1902. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Summer Palace has undergone several major renovations. Its major attractions such as the Four Great Regions, Suzhou Street, the Pavilion of Bright Scenery, the Hall of Serenity, the Wenchang Galleries, and the Plowing and Weaving Scenery Area have been successively restored.

Bus: 331,346,394,469,704,718,732,737,817

Ticket Price

Entrance ticket to the Summer Palace: CNY 30/ A ticket (peak season) CNY 20/ A ticket (off-season)

Through Ticket to the Summer Palace：CNY 60 / A ticket (peak season) CNY 50/ A ticket (off-season)

Remark:

1. Through Ticket includes entrance tickets and garden tickets (including Wenchang Gallery, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Tower of Buddhist of Incense, plus Suzhou Street).

2. Entrance Tickets are concessional. The discount ticket is CNY 15 per person.

Guide to Buying Tickets 

1. Buy tickets on site

2. Book tickets online

Please visit the official website (http://www.summerpalace-china.com/English/index.htm) or follow the official WeChat account of the Summer Palace to book tickets online.

Opening Hours: from April 1 to October 31: 6:30-18:00
                           from November 1 to March 31: 7:00-17:00