Summer Palace - 颐和园

Pictures of the Beijing Summer Palace

Presentation of the summer palace

The summer Palace is located about twenty kilometers Northwest of Beijing, and is part of UNESCO World Heritage. The summer palace is a vast ensemble of temples, pavilions, imperial palaces scattered here and there in the park around Lake Kunming. Once, it was very popular with the imperial families during the summer to escape the dampness of Beijing.

This architectural complex was built in the 12th century but was enlarged several times, destroyed and renovated especially during the reign of Qianlong (1736-1796). The part that we can visit dates from the beginning of the 20th century.

The figures of the Palace are impressive: 290 hectares, 3000 buildings, more than 400 000 trees many of which are several hundred years old. Among these, you can find Kunming Lake (220 hectares), with the famous bridge with seventeen arches. The gallery covered with paintings along the lake on 700 m.

This imperial garden is much more enjoyable at dawn, when old women do their exercises singing under the trees. It takes a good half day to enjoy the park in all its grandeur.

Useful Information

Plan 4 or 5 hours to visit the Summer Palace

Chinese name : Yíhéyuán – 颐和园

Metro line 9, Xi yuan or Bei gomg men Station

Ticket prices :

– April to October : 30¥ for the park and 60¥ for combo ticket (park & buildings)

– November to Mars : 20¥ for the park and 50¥ for combo ticket (park & buildings)

For a boat ride on Lake Kunming, count 20¥ per person

Opening hours :

– April to October : 6:30 to 20:00 (6:30am to 8:00pm) for the park and 8:30 to 17:00 (8:30am to 5:00pm) for the palace, ticket office closed at 18:00 (6:00pm)

Tip : If you want to visit the Summer Palace during the Summer, better to start early, less people and the temperature still nice.