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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Summer Palace Summary
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| Public website: | www.summerpalace-china.com |
China – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
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| Currency: |
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service. |
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| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary. |
| Chinese New Year (January/February) |
Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations |
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| National Day (1 October) |
National holiday with parades and festivities |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire) |
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| Taxi apps: | DiDi, Uber |
| Other: | China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Summer Palace, China
Lotus bloom on Kunming Lake, July to August, best in the morning
Golden Week, October 1 to 7: extremely crowded with domestic visitors
Don't miss
- 🚣♀️ Take a boat ride across Kunming Lake
- ⛰️ Climb Longevity Hill for panoramic palace and lake views
- 🎨 Stroll along the Long Corridor and admire painted scenes
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design established in the 18th century. Built as a royal retreat for Qing dynasty emperors, it showcases a harmonious mix of natural landscapes and man-made architecture. The gardens are dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, around which pavilions, temples, bridges and corridors are thoughtfully placed.
The Long Corridor, famed for its intricate paintings and decorations, leads visitors through scenic spots including the Marble Boat, a lakeside pavilion symbolizing stability. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge connects the shore to Nanhu Island, a tranquil spot perfect for quiet reflection.
Through its history, the Summer Palace suffered destruction during wars in the 19th and early 20th centuries but was restored with care, embodying resilience and cultural pride. Today, it remains a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of imperial elegance mixed with natural beauty.
Visitors should be prepared for large crowds, especially on weekends and holidays and wear comfortable shoes for the extensive walking and occasional uphill hikes. Weather can be hot and humid in summer, so sun protection and hydration are essential.
Why travel to Summer Palace?
Knowledge before you go
- Enter East Palace Gate for main sights route.
- Allocate 3 hours; follow route via Long Corridor to Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake highlights.
- Take boat ride across Kunming Lake for stunning views of Seventeen-Arch Bridge and palaces.
- Visit late afternoon for magical sunset over lake and hill, capturing golden light on historic pavilions.
How to travel to Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is located about 20 kilometers northwest of downtown Beijing. Visitors can easily reach it by taking subway Line 4 to Beigongmen or Xiyuan stations. From Beijing Capital International Airport, the Palace is accessible via taxi or public transportation with a transfer to the subway system. It's recommended to plan your visit ahead due to the large grounds.
Access summary
- From Beijing Capital Airport: Airport Express + metro lines 10/4, about 70–90 min.
- From central Beijing (Tiananmen/Forbidden City): Metro line 1 + 4, around 45–60 min.
- From Beijing West Railway Station: Metro lines 9 + 4 to Beigongmen/Xiyuan, about 40–60 min.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Summer Palace
Beijing offers a wide range of accommodations from luxurious hotels near the city center to mid-range and budget options. Staying close to the downtown area provides easy access to the Summer Palace via public transit.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Shangri-La Beijing
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun By IHG
Ariva Beijing West Hotel Serviced Apartment
Holiday Inn Express Shangdi Beijing By IHG
Empark Grand Hotel Beijing
The Lakeview Hotel
Beijing Friendship Hotel Grand Building
Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel & Serviced Apartments
Beijing Friendship Hotel Jing Bin Building
Holiday InnHoliday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park By IHG
Packing recommendations for Summer Palace
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🎒
Small rucksack
🧶
Light jumper
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 69% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
The Summer Palace in Beijing is generally safe for visitors, with well‑patrolled tourist areas and minimal crime. Keep valuables secure, avoid isolated back alleys after dark and follow local advisories on crowd control during peak seasons to ensure a worry‑free visit.
Accessibility
The Summer Palace in Beijing offers many accessible features: wide, paved pathways, elevators to key areas and clear signage in multiple languages. However, some older bridges lack ramps and crowding can impede mobility. Plan visits early, use a wheelchair-friendly guide.
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