How many entrances and exits to the Summer Palace?

Written and updated by Ruqin
Last updated: May 07, 2026

If you’re planning a visit and wondering how many entrances and exits to the Summer Palace there are, you’re definitely not alone. Many first-time visitors arrive without realizing the Summer Palace has several gates, and choosing the right one can actually save you quite a bit of walking and confusion during the day.

Unlike the Forbidden City’s straightforward south-to-north route, the Summer Palace is more flexible to explore. There are six main entrances and exits, each connecting differently to the lake, gardens, metro stations, and nearby parking areas. Choosing the best gate really depends on how you want to experience the park.

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.

Location Map: The Six Gates of Summer Palace

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 Attractions in 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).

The Attractions in the Summer Palace — **Overlooking Kunming Lake from Tower of Buddhist Incense**

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.

**Boating on the Kunming Lake in Summer Palace**

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.

The good thing about the Summer Palace is that you don’t have to follow a single fixed route. Whether you enter through the East Palace Gate, North Palace Gate, or one of the quieter side gates, each entrance gives you a slightly different first impression of the park.

I usually suggest choosing your gate based on your energy level, transport plans, and what you most want to see first. A little planning before you arrive can make your visit feel far more relaxed, especially in such a large and beautiful imperial garden.

About the Author

Ruqin is the founder of Ruqintravel.com and has spent more than four decades working in China’s travel industry. Drawing on hands-on experience in cities like Beijing and Hangzhou, he personally researches and updates each guide to help international travelers navigate China with confidence.