Take a One-Stop Tour of the Royal Gardens: The Summer Palace, Beijing

The Summer Palace, one of the largest and most well-preserved royal gardens in China, boasts a rich history, profound cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty. It's a must-see destination for any visitor to Beijing. • Basic Information: ◦ Opening Hours: Peak Season (Apr 1–Oct 31): Opens at 6:00am, last entry at 7:00pm, closes at 8:00pm; Off-Season (Nov 1–Mar 31): Opens at 6:30am, last entry at 6:00pm, closes at 7:00pm. ◦ Ticket Prices: Peak Season: CNY 30 per ticket; Off-Season: CNY 20 per ticket; Combined Ticket (Peak Season): CNY 60; Combined Ticket (Off-Season): CNY 50. Combined tickets include entry to the main gardens and inner gardens (Dehe Garden: CNY 5, Summer Palace Museum: CNY 20, Tower of Buddhist Incense: CNY 10, Suzhou Street: CNY 10). ◦ Ticket Purchase: Purchase tickets 7 days in advance via the official "Summer Palace" WeChat official account or buy tickets on-site. Remember to bring your ID card for entry. • Attractions: ◦ Longevity Hill Area: The Tower of Buddhist Incense, the iconic landmark of the Summer Palace, requires a separate ticket. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Kunming Lake and the distant cityscape of Beijing. The Hall of Dispelling Clouds, where Empress Dowager Cixi held her birthday celebrations, is a magnificent structure. The Sea of Wisdom, located at the summit of Longevity Hill, is a beamless Buddhist temple housing numerous Buddha statues. ◦ Kunming Lake Area: The 17-Arch Bridge spans Kunming Lake, its 17 arches forming an elegant silhouette. At sunset, the sunlight streams through the arches, creating a magnificent "golden light piercing through the holes" spectacle. The Bronze Ox, located on the eastern bank of Kunming Lake, is exquisitely cast and echoes the 17-Arch Bridge. The West Dike, modeled after the Su Causeway in Hangzhou's West Lake, is lined with peach and willow trees. Its six bridges, each with its own unique characteristics, offer excellent vantage points for admiring the lake. ◦ Long Corridor: At 728 meters, it's the longest covered walkway in the world. The corridor is adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings depicting a rich array of subjects, including landscapes, flowers, birds, insects, fish, and historical figures, a feast for the eyes. ◦ Suzhou Street: Also known as "Shopping Street," this water street, built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, imitates the water towns of southern China, offering a glimpse into the atmosphere of ancient commercial streets. ◦ Dehe Garden: The Grand Theatre within the garden, where Empress Dowager Cixi watched theatrical performances, is a beautifully ornate building with carved beams and painted rafters. • Suggested Routes: ◦ Classic Route (5–6 hrs): Enter through the North Palace Gate > Suzhou Street > Four Continents > Tower of Buddhist Incense > Hall of Dispelling Clouds > Long Corridor > Marble Boat > Boat trip to South Lake Island > 17-Arch Bridge > Bronze Ox > Exit through the New Constructed Palace Gate. This route covers the main attractions of the Summer Palace, showcasing the grandeur of the royal architecture and the picturesque scenery of Kunming Lake. ◦ Leisurely Route (3–4 hrs): Enter through the East Palace Gate > Hall of Benevolence and Longevity > Hall of Joyful Longevity > Long Corridor > Hall of Dispelling Clouds > Tower of Buddhist Incense > Return along the Long Corridor, exit through the Inviting Moon Gate, stroll along Kunming Lake to the Know Spring Pavilion > Wenchang Pavilion > Exit through the East Palace Gate. This route is relatively relaxed, suitable for visitors with limited time or less stamina. ◦ Themed Routes (Seasonal): Spring: East Palace Gate—Hall of Benevolence and Longevity—Garden of Harmonious Interest—Hall of Joyful Longevity (Magnolia blossoms)—Long Corridor—Marble Boat—West Dike (Peach blossoms)—Embroidered Brocade Bridge—East Bank Road of Kunming Lake (Distant views of West Dike, Jade Peak Pagoda of Jade Spring Hill, Longevity Hill, Tower of Buddhist Incense)—Kuoru Pavilion—17-Arch Bridge—New Constructed Palace Gate; Summer (Lotus blossoms and sunset): North Palace Gate—Suzhou Street—Four Continents—Tower of Buddhist Incense (Panoramic view of Kunming Lake)—Long Corridor—Amidst the Pictures—Farming and Weaving Scenic Area (Lotus blossoms)—Lake of Clear Ripples (Lotus blossoms)—Embroidered Brocade Bridge—East Bank Road of Kunming Lake (Distant views of West Dike, Jade Peak Pagoda of Jade Spring Hill)—Kuoru Pavilion—17-Arch Bridge—East Bank Road of Kunming Lake (Sunset)—New Constructed Palace Gate. • Transportation: ◦ Subway: Line 4 to Beigongmen Station, Exit D, leads directly to the North Palace Gate; Line 4 to Xiyuan Station, from where you can walk to the East Palace Gate. ◦ Bus: Several bus routes serve the various gates of the Summer Palace, including routes 331, 332, 346, 303, 584, and Night Bus 8. • Important Notes: ◦ Except for public holidays, the inner gardens, including Dehe Garden, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Summer Palace Museum, and Suzhou Street, as well as some courtyards, are closed on Mondays. Try to avoid visiting on Mondays. ◦ The Summer Palace is quite large. Plan your route in advance and bring enough food and water. ◦ The peak season sees large crowds. Booking tickets in advance will save you time. Choose suitable times to visit, such as early morning or late afternoon, to avoid peak crowds. ◦ Visitors with babies should be aware that some areas have many steps, making strollers less convenient. ◦ Boat rides are available from mid-to-late March to mid-November each year. Boat operations may be suspended due to weather warnings, such as strong winds or heavy rain (level 4 or above), or other unforeseen adverse weather conditions.