Beijing: Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour

Summer Palace Tours and Tickets in Beijing

Explore Beijing’s Summer Palace with flexible ticket options and tours suitable for independent travelers, groups, and private visitors.

Tour Highlights

• Flexible ticket choices: entry-only, full access, or boat ride packages.
• Options for self-guided visits, group tours, or private tours.
• Royal boat ride from Ziyu Bay Pier to the Summer Palace entrance.
• Combined full-day tours with other top Beijing landmarks.
• Family-friendly options including panda encounters and scenic boat rides.

Description

The Summer Palace offers a variety of visit options tailored to different traveler preferences. Choose from self-guided tickets that include an English audio guide and PDF, to group tours with an English-speaking guide, or private tours for a personalized experience.

Boat ride tickets feature a scenic 30–40 minute journey starting at Ziyu Bay Pier, a favored route of Empress Dowager Cixi, delivering guests to the palace entrance before their visit begins. Group tours combine the Summer Palace with other major Beijing attractions such as the Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Private tours extend to include the Panda House, Botanical Garden, Old Summer Palace, and even a Kung Fu tea ceremony.

Each option ensures seamless access and expert guidance appropriate to your choice. Book early to secure your preferred date and option.

Ticket and Tour Options

• Option 1–3: Tickets Only
  • Entry Ticket, Complete Ticket, or Combo Ticket (includes boat ride and entry)
  • English PDF guidebook and online audio guide provided to avoid queues
  • Combo Ticket includes a boat ride from Ziyu Bay Pier to Summer Palace entrance
• Option 4–9: Group Tours with Tickets and English Guide
  • Includes combinations such as Summer Palace + Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Peking Duck lunch (with vegetarian options), Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall
  • Social and budget-friendly group experience with live guides
  • Forbidden City tours exclude Tiananmen Square access by default but can be arranged for free on request
• Option 10–16: Private Tours with Tickets and English Guide
  • In-depth private tours including Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Panda House, Botanical Garden, Old Summer Palace, and Kung Fu Tea Ceremony
  • Seasonal notes: boat ride from the zoo to Summer Palace April–October; private car transfers November–March
  • Scenic tourist train transport between Summer Palace and Botanical Garden
  • Tea ceremony conducted by certified English-speaking tea master with traditional snacks

What’s Included

• Standard Ticket: Entry to the main gate; English online audio and PDF guide
• Complete Ticket: Entry to main gate, Hall of Buddhist Incense, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Summer Palace Museum; English online audio and PDF guide
• Combo Ticket: One-way boat ticket from Ziyu Bay Pier, complete entry ticket, English online audio and PDF guide
• Group Tours: Entry tickets, English-speaking guide, transportation between attractions, lunch with Peking duck or vegetarian option (on selected tours)
• Private Tours: Entry tickets, private English-speaking guide, private transportation, 2-hour Kung Fu tea experience (on selected tours)

What’s Not Included

• Audio device or earphones for audio guide
• Tour guide for ticket-only options
• Boat ride inside the Summer Palace grounds
• Standard Entry Ticket excludes Hall of Buddhist Incense, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, and Summer Palace Museum access
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Important Information

• The GetYourGuide QR code is not your Summer Palace entry ticket. A separate ticket link containing your official entry QR code and English PDF guidebook will be sent via WhatsApp, GetYourGuide message, and email.
• Standard Entry Ticket grants access only to the main gate, excluding other paid attractions inside the park.
• Complete Entry Ticket includes the main gate and paid attractions such as Tower of Buddhist Incense, Dehe Garden, and the Summer Palace Museum.
• The boat ride in the Combo Ticket departs from outside the Summer Palace at Ziyu Bay Pier, not from inside the park.
• Audio guides are web-based; bring your own phone and earphones. Valid until 23:59 on the selected visit date.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund.

For the best experience, bring comfortable walking shoes, a charged phone for the audio guide, and book your preferred ticket or tour in advance to avoid peak season sold-out dates.