Highlights
- Explore diverse urban and suburban combo itineraries—many choices to suit you
- Uncover the Summer Palace’s hidden royal stories and historical details
- Enjoy flexible pacing without being rushed with private tour arrangements
- Travel seamlessly and hassle-free between attractions with private transfer
- Ask your private guide questions anytime and adjust start times for flexibility
Description
We highly recommend joining a guided tour for your visit to the Summer Palace—without a guide, you may only see it as a beautiful garden, but behind its scenery lies a wealth of historical stories, including those related to Cixi, a woman of great significance in Chinese history. As one of China’s most stunning royal gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Summer Palace deserves to be explored with insights into its past. To enhance your experience, we’ve prepared diverse itineraries, and their detailed options and respective schedules are as follows:
1. Summer Palace Ticket Booking Only
- No guided tour, transportation—this is for standard entry ticket reservation only.
- We’ll send the entry QR code to your email 5-7 days before your departure. If you don’t receive it, please contact us promptly.
- Scan the QR code to enter the Summer Palace (valid for any gate); separate payment is required for extra museums inside the palace (not covered by this ticket).
2. 2-Hour Guided Tour
Meeting Point: In front of the lions at the Summer Palace East Gate
Itinerary
Your guide will first share the Summer Palace’s history, then follow the guide to enter via the East Gate and visit core landmarks: Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, Long Corridor, Marble Boat, and Hall of Happiness and Longevity. Afterward, you may choose to explore the palace independently or return to your hotel via subway or taxi at your own cost.
3. Guided Tour with Hotel Pick-Up (Subway Transport)
Meeting Point: Lobby of your downtown Beijing hotel
Itinerary
Meet your guide at your hotel, then travel to the Summer Palace together via subway. Enjoy the same 2-hour guided tour as Option 2, tour ends at the Summer Palace North Gate; return arrangements are at your discretion.
4. Guided Tour with Round-Trip Private Transport
Meeting Point: Lobby of your downtown Beijing hotel.
Itinerary
Private car picks you up from your hotel and drives you to the Summer Palace. Take the 2-hour guided tour of key landmarks (same as Option 2). After the tour, the private car takes you back to your hotel directly.
5. 5-Hour In-Depth Summer Palace Tour
Extends the 2-hour core tour with in-depth experiences;
Itinerary
Complete the 2-hour guided tour of core landmarks (as in Option 2). Enjoy a boat ride on the Summer Palace’s lake to experience the garden’s landscape from the water (Summer only). Visit additional museums inside the palace (e.g., museums showcasing royal artifacts, garden history) with the guide’s explanation.
6. Summer Palace+Downtown Beijing Attractions
Craft your ideal urban itinerary with the Summer Palace as the centerpiece, paired with top downtown landmarks:
Summer Palace+Beijing Botanical Garden/Tian’anmen Square&Forbidden City/Temple of Heaven
7. Summer Palace+Beijing Suburban Attractions
Pair the iconic Summer Palace with classic suburban highlights for a perfect mix of royal charm and natural/historical wonders:
Summer Palace+Ming Tombs/Great Wall/Longqing Gorge
Includes
English-speaking tour guide if you choose the related option
Transportation (subway or private car if you choose the related option)
Entrance fees cover only the attractions specified in your selected package; please refer to the detailed description of your chosen option for specifics
Excludes
Food and drinks
Tips
The 'Ticket Only' option excludes tours—you will visit the Summer Palace on your own
Extra museums inside the Summer Palace require a separate ticket
Important Information
- 1: The 'Ticket Only' option excludes tours—you will visit the Summer Palace on your own. We’ll send the entry QR code to your email 5-7 days before your departure. If you don’t receive it, please contact us promptly. Scan the QR code to enter the Summer Palace (valid for any gate); separate payment is required for extra museums inside the palace (not covered by this ticket)
- 2: For guided tours, if you want a different start time, please let us know. We will try our best to arrange a start time between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM
- 3: For guided tours, please provide your hotel’s name and address when booking
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
