If you are going to visit Summer Palace in Beijing, you may wonder how many entrances to Summer Palace and which gate you should enter. Unlike the south-north axis visiting path in Forbidden City, there are six entrances and exits to the Summer Palace from which you can choose any of them to enter and exit.
The Summer Palace is suitable for all seasons, with convenient transportation and corresponding parking lots around it.
For more information about Summer Palace, please check out Summer Palace Travel Guide – Your Ultimate Guide.
The six entrances and exits are listed as follows:
| North Palace Gate 北宫门 | East Palace Gate 东宫门 | New Palace Gate 新建宫门 |
| South Ruyi Gate 南如意门 | North Ruyi Gate 北如意门 | Summer Palace West Gate 颐和园西门 |
The scenic spots in the Summer Palace Park are mostly concentrated close to the East Palace Gate and the North Palace Gate, which are close to the subway with a large flow of tourists.
The scenic spots near the New Palace Gate and the South Ruyi Gate are scattered and close to the lake. The New Palace Gate is also much sought after by tourists who would like to see Bronz Ox and 17-Arch Bridge, then walking to the Long Corridor and exit either from East Palace Gate or North Palace Gate for a whole trip of Summer Palace.
North Palace Gate Traffic and Attractions
North Palace Gate 北宫门: Also one of the three main gates in Summer Palace with a large crowd of tourists.
Subway: Line 4 at Beigongmen Station
Bus: 303, 332, 384, 394, 563, 584, 601, night 8
Parking: Temporary parking is available nearby
Attractions: Suzhou Street, Songtang, Yunhui Temple, Qiwangxuan Site, Weixianzhai Site, Four great continents, Wisdom Sea, Jiichun Garden site Duobao Glass Tower, Yin Hui City Pass
East Palace Gate Traffic and Attractions
East Palace Gate 东宫门: The main gate to the Summer Palace, with a fairly large flow of people, close to the main buildings such as Renshou Hall, Jingfu Pavilion, Yishou Hall, Harmonious Interest Garden and Wenchang Pavilion as well as the Long Corridor.
Subway: Line 4, Line 16 at Xiyuan Station
Bus: 332, 584, 346
Parking: There is a shortage of parking space nearby.
Must-visit attractions: Renshou Hall, Dehe Garden, Summer Palace Museum, Zhichun Pavilion, Yulan Hall, Yiyun Hall, Long Corridor, Buddha Pavilion, Jiqing Xuan, Garden of Harmony
New Palace Gate Traffic and Attractions
New Palace Gate 新建宫门: The relatively new gate south of East Palace Gate, also with a great number of tourists, close to the 17-arch Bridge, Bronz Ox and Knowing in the Spring Pavilion.
Bus: 374, 74, 437
Parking: Parking is available nearby
Attractions: Guru Pavilion, Bronze Ox, Kunlun Stele, Seventeen Confucius Bridge, Rainbow Archway, Guangrun Lingyu Temple, Yunxiang Pavilion, Hanxu Hall
South Ruyi Gate Traffic and Attractions
South Ruyi Gate is a secondary entrance, moderate traffic.
Bus: 374, 74, 437
Parking: Parking is available nearby
Scenic spots: Fenghuang Pier, West Embankment, Liuqiao, Jingming Lou, Zaojian Tang Ruins, Lianqiao, Mirror Bridge, Yubelt Bridge, Youfeng Bridge, Cultivation and Weaving Scenic spot, Water Exercise School, Jiechu Bridge, Banbi Bridge
Other entrances: such as Summer Palace West Gate and North Ruyi Gate are relatively not commonly used in tourism, tourists can choose different entrances to enter the Summer Palace according to personal needs and actual conditions.
Opening Hours
Peak season (April 1 – October 31) : Open at 6:00, no entry at 19:00, close at 20:00.
Off-season (November 1 – March 31) : Open at 6:30, no entry at 18:00, close at 19:00.
The inside paid attraction courtyard opening hours:
(1) Buddha Pavilion, Garden of Virtue, Summer Palace Museum, Suzhou Street
Peak season (April 1 – October 31) : Open at 8:00, no entry at 17:30, close at 18:00.
Off-season (November 1 – March 31) : Open at 8:30, no entry at 16:30, close at 17:00.
The above attractions are closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays).
Entrance Fees
Summer Palace Entrance Tickets: 30 yuan/ticket (high season), 20 yuan/ticket (low season);
Summer Palace Through Tickets: 60 yuan/ticket (high season), 50 yuan/ticket (low season)
Note: The Through Tickets also include the inside paid attractions like Wenchang Yuan, Dehe Garden, Foxiang Pavilion and Suzhou Street.
Recommended main Attractions in the Summer Palace
Explore the palace grounds: The Summer Palace is a vast complex with beautiful gardens, pavilions, temples, and a large lake. Take your time to explore the various sights and structures within the palace grounds. Some highlights include the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Hall), and the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiang Ge).
Visit the main attractions: Don’t miss the main attractions within the Summer Palace, such as the iconic Kunming Lake and the Longevity Hill. You can take a boat ride on the lake or climb the hill to enjoy panoramic views of the palace and the surrounding scenery.
Walk along the Long Corridor: The Long Corridor is a covered walkway adorned with beautiful paintings and artwork. Take a leisurely stroll and appreciate the intricate details and historical significance of this structure.
Enjoy the gardens and pavilions: The Summer Palace is known for its tranquil gardens and picturesque pavilions. Take time to relax, enjoy the greenery, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
Take breaks and rest: The palace grounds are quite extensive, so it’s advisable to take breaks and rest when needed. There are benches and seating areas scattered throughout the park where you can relax and admire the surroundings.
Follow the rules: Be respectful of the palace rules and regulations. Do not touch or climb on the historical structures, respect any photography restrictions, and be mindful of other visitors.
