🎐 Chinese Name: Yí Hé Yuán (颐和园)
📍 Location: Haidian No.19, New Jiangongmen Road
🚕 Taxi Note: 请带我去颐和园! (Please take me to the Summer Palace!)
🏛️ UNESCO World Heritage Site Since: 1998
⚡ Quick Intro
The Summer Palace is one of Beijing’s most scenic and historically rich sites. It features a large lake, traditional Chinese architecture, and peaceful walking paths. It’s a good place for slow exploration, especially if you’re looking for nature and culture in the same place.
💫 Vibe Check
Tags: relaxing, grand, cultural, photogenic, historical
This royal park feels peaceful despite its size. The blend of nature, architecture, and lake views creates a balanced atmosphere. It’s ideal for people who enjoy slower-paced sightseeing with cultural depth.
🧭 Best For
- 👫 Couples – Lots of romantic lakeside paths and viewpoints
- 🧍♀️ Solo Travelers – Quiet corners and flexible pace
- 📸 Photographers – Classic Chinese structures, water reflections, and seasonal colors
- 📖 History Fans – Strong historical presence throughout the grounds
📚 History Snapshot
The Summer Palace began in the mid-1700s during the Qing dynasty. Originally a retreat for royalty, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times, especially after major damage in the 19th century. Empress Dowager Cixi later turned it into her personal summer retreat. Today, it is a public park and one of China’s most important cultural sites.
🌟 Top Highlights Inside
- 🛶 Kunming Lake – A vast lake that covers most of the park, perfect for boat rides and photos.
- ⛰️ Longevity Hill – A small mountain covered with temples and towers.
- 🕍 Tower of Buddhist Incense – A striking multi-level structure offering views over the lake.
- 🏘️ Suzhou Street – A reconstructed shopping street by the water, styled like ancient Suzhou.
- 🎨 Long Corridor – A nearly 730-meter walkway filled with thousands of colorful paintings.
- 🌉 Seventeen-Arch Bridge – An elegant stone bridge lined with carved lions.
🍂 Seasonal Notes
- 🌸 Spring – Flowers bloom, great for photography
- ☀️ Summer – Ideal for boating, but bring sunscreen
- 🍁 Autumn – Trees turn red and gold, perfect weather for walking and photography
- ❄️ Winter – Snow covers rooftops and frozen lake makes for a peaceful visit
🎒 Experience Tips
- ⏰ Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends
- 🚪 Start from East Gate (Donggongmen) for easier access
- 🚤 Boat rides are relaxing and cut down on walking time
- 👟 Bring water and wear comfortable shoes—the grounds are huge
- 🎧 Audio guides available in many languages; worth renting
🗺️ Suggested Routes
- 🕑 2 Hours: Boat ride + walk along Kunming Lake + exit at East Gate
- 🕒 3 Hours: Add the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Long Corridor
- 🕓 4 Hours: Explore the whole area, including Suzhou Street and the temples at the top of the hill
🚇 Transportation
- Subway: Line 4 to Beigongmen Station, Exit D is closest to the North Gate
- Bus: Multiple lines stop near East and North gates
🎟️ Ticket Info
- General Admission: ~30 RMB (high season) / 20 RMB (low season)
- Combo Ticket: ~60 RMB includes access to inner halls, tower, and Suzhou Street
- No need to pre-book unless visiting during major holidays
🧰 Facilities
- 🎒 Luggage Storage: Nearby shops offer paid storage near North Gate
- 👶 Stroller Rental: Available close to main entrances
