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Castles & palaces

Summer Palace

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Summer Palace

The Summer Palace

Located in northwestern Beijing, this garden palace is centered around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. It consists of a large lake, traditional gardens, and classical Chinese architecture. Visitors go here to walk along the waterfront and view the layout of the imperial gardens.

Getting There

The site is accessible from the city center via the Beijing Subway (Line 4). Depending on your starting point, the journey typically takes between 40 and 60 minutes.

Suggested Duration

Due to the vast size of the lake and the surrounding garden complexes, allow at least 3 to 5 hours to explore the main areas on foot.

When to Visit

The gardens are open to the public daily. It gets crowded during national holidays and weekends. Spring and autumn are generally the most temperate seasons for walking the grounds. Arriving early in the morning can help avoid the largest crowds.

Nearby Attractions

You can combine a visit here with other sites in the northwestern part of the city:

  • Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (8.5km)
  • Beijing Zoo (8.5km)
  • Olympic Green (10.1km)
  • Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (10.1km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Summer Palace

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Summer Palace Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

3 nights, 4 days

Beijing 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Beijing grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology

Museums & galleries

Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology

A paleontology research institute in Beijing holding an extensive collection of specimens, including dinosaur and pterosaur fossils. As a center for paleontology and human origins research, it lets visitors examine fossil specimens up close.

8.5 km away
Beijing Zoo

Zoos & aquariums

Beijing Zoo

Located in Beijing's Xicheng District, this zoo has a long history dating back to its opening in 1906, near the end of the Qing dynasty. Its spacious grounds house a wide range of land and marine animals, making it a popular spot for family outings.

8.5 km away
Olympic Green

Parks & gardens

Olympic Green

A large park in Beijing's Chaoyang District, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It's a great place to stroll through the spacious grounds and take in the scenery around the Olympic venues.

10.1 km away
Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Temples & religious sites

Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

A Catholic church in Beijing's Xicheng District, locally known by the nickname 'West Church.' Its modest chapel and the quiet surrounding alleys make for a pleasant stroll.

10.1 km away
Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution

Museums & galleries

Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution

China's national military museum, located in Haidian District, Beijing. It showcases the history of the People's Liberation Army alongside military artifacts from China and countries around the world.

10.8 km away
Miaoying Temple

Temples & religious sites

Miaoying Temple

A Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing's Xicheng District, now open to the public as a museum. Its White Pagoda, built in 1279 during the Yuan dynasty, is considered China's largest and oldest Tibetan Buddhist stupa and a highlight of the site.

11.1 km away