Summer Palace

How the lake and hillside buildings connect

The Summer Palace in northwest Beijing is centered on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Its predecessor, Qingyi Garden, was begun in 1750, severely damaged in 1860 and rebuilt on the same site from 1886; it was later renamed Yiheyuan, or the Summer Palace. The grounds accommodated imperial administration, residence, religion and recreation, and were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. Restoration has taken place at different times, so not every building you see is an unchanged original from the Qianlong era.

Knowing where the hill and lake lie is more useful than remembering a long list of halls. Longevity Hill is in the north and Kunming Lake in the south; the court and residential areas are concentrated in the northeast, while the Long Corridor follows the lakeshore at the foot of the hill. The water opens distant views; closer to the buildings, you can study doors, windows, paintings and eaves. Focus on the shores if you enjoy open water views, or on the corridor and hillside buildings if architectural details interest you. Walking all the way around the lake is not necessary for a satisfying visit.

If time is limited, first find a spot along the lakeshore where you can see the water, a bridge, and the hills together. Then walk into the Long Corridor to look more closely at its painted details and the views between the columns. These two perspectives complement each other: from a distance, you can see how the garden opens around the lake; up close, it is easier to notice how the buildings connect. The grounds cover a large area, so choose an entrance and the areas you want to visit before setting out, rather than crossing the park repeatedly just to tick off sights.

Paintings and lake views in the Long Corridor

The Long Corridor connects buildings along the shore and provides a continuous covered viewpoint across the garden. Columns, beams and paintings are close at hand, with lake views between the columns. As you move, the buildings and water overlap in different ways. Instead of hurrying straight through, choose a few places where you will not block the passage, look at a painting and then at the lake beside it.

At close range, pay attention to the painted beams and the views framed by the columns. The corridor suits brief stops, but visitors continue to pass through, so leave room when taking photographs or resting. Follow the open paths around any maintenance barriers.

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge and Longevity Hill

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge connects Kunming Lake's eastern embankment with South Lake Island. Its repeated arches form a clear horizontal line that is best appreciated in relation to the water from the shore. On the bridge itself, you see the shores in other directions. The lake may freeze in winter; stay on open shores or bridges and do not venture onto the ice on your own.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense on the front of Longevity Hill is a prominent building. Looking back from higher ground brings the roofs at the foot of the hill and Kunming Lake into one view, unlike seeing the lake from ground level. The hill involves steps; if climbing is unsuitable, focus on the shore and Long Corridor. Allow about 3–4 hours if you choose the shore, corridor and one building to examine closely. This is an editorial estimate; climbing farther or adding galleries requires more time.

In winter, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and lakeshore have colors and a sense of space that differ from summer. Ice conditions depend on the weather, and safety barriers may be installed. When taking photos, stay on open paths and the bridge; do not cross barriers. If it is windy or cold, consider stopping along a stretch of shore near an entrance or exit, where it is easier to return.

Tickets, separately ticketed areas and seasonal conditions

Regular prices on the official website, checked on November 10, 2026, are RMB 30 for park admission and RMB 60 for a combined ticket from April 1 to October 31; from November 1 to March 31, they are RMB 20 and RMB 50 respectively. Areas such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense, Dehe Garden, Suzhou Street and the Summer Palace Museum have separate admission tickets; the combined ticket includes the park and these separately ticketed areas. Decide what you want to see before choosing a ticket. Ordinary park admission does not provide access to every area.

On the same date, the official website listed park opening hours of 6:00–20:00 in the peak season, with last admission at 19:00, and 6:30–19:00 in the low season, with last admission at 18:00. The separately ticketed areas stop admitting visitors earlier, at 17:30 in the peak season and 16:30 in the low season. They close on Mondays except major holidays. An official notice dated October 28, 2026 announced the winter suspension of boat services from November 2, so the general operating season on the visitor guide should not be taken to mean boats are currently running.

Check which gate you are using

The official transport guide links the East Palace Gate to Xiyuan station on Subway Lines 4 or 16, the North Palace Gate to Beigongmen station on Line 4, and the West Gate to the Xijiao Line. The Summer Palace has several gate areas, so check the gate name when arriving and leaving; the location of the entire park on a map does not identify a particular entrance. Walking along the shore differs from climbing the hill. Bring sun protection and water in summer; watch for cold winds and icy paths in winter. Choose shoes with good grip that are comfortable for long walks.