Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 139 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) worth booking?
Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) is a 1-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $5 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 139 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (139)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $5 per person
No Beijing itinerary is complete without the Summer Palace—the city’s iconic imperial garden and a must-visit landmark. Securing tickets in advance can be a hassle, but we’re here to streamline your trip: book with us ahead of time, skip the long on-site queues, and explore this sprawling heritage site stress-free. Choose from two core ticket options tailored to your schedule: a regular ticket, perfect for a 1–2 hour visit to the main garden areas; or a combination ticket, ideal if you plan to stay 2 hours or longer and want access to the palace’s exclusive on-site museums (closed on Mondays). To make your journey even more convenient—especially since the Summer Palace is a distance from downtown—we also offer upgraded packages including a 2-hour guided tour, round-trip city transportation, or a fully inclusive bundle with tour, transfers and driver service.
What you get
About this experience
No Beijing itinerary is complete without the Summer Palace—the city’s iconic imperial garden and a must-visit landmark. Securing tickets in advance can be a hassle, but we’re here to streamline your trip: book with us ahead of time, skip the long on-site queues, and explore this sprawling heritage site stress-free. Choose from two core ticket options tailored to your schedule: a regular ticket, perfect for a 1–2 hour visit to the main garden areas; or a combination ticket, ideal if you plan to stay 2 hours or longer and want access to the palace’s exclusive on-site museums (closed on Mondays). To make your journey even more convenient—especially since the Summer Palace is a distance from downtown—we also offer upgraded packages including a 2-hour guided tour, round-trip city transportation, or a fully inclusive bundle with tour, transfers and driver service.
What's included
Included
- Private Hotel Round Trip Transfer if you choose option 2 and option 4
- Combo ticket if you choose the option( Including extra gardens and museums inside the Summer Palace)
- English speaking tour guide if you choose option 2 and 3
- Regular Ticket(Main Entrance fee to the Summer Palace)
Not included
- Gratuites
What you'll see and do
Summer Palace
Explore Beijing’s iconic imperial garden hassle-free with our four tailored packages, designed to fit every traveler’s needs and schedule: Package 1: Ticket-Only Service Choose between two ticket types, with your entry QR code delivered via email 5–7 days before your travel date—be sure to download it upon receipt, as this is your sole entry credential. Simply scan the QR code at the gate on your tour day, and note that the code is required at every checkpoint within the palace grounds. Regular Ticket: Perfect for a 1–2 hour visit, granting access to the Summer Palace’s core scenic areas, including its iconic lakes and pavilions. Combination Ticket: Ideal for stays of 2 hours or longer, unlocking entry to exclusive attractions like the Grand Opera House, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Suzhou Street, and the Summer Palace Museum (please note these sites are closed on Mondays).
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Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
Elevate your visit with a knowledgeable local guide who will meet you at the East Gate of the Summer Palace. You can opt for either a regular or combination ticket with this package. Over two informative hours, your guide will lead you through the garden’s most celebrated landmarks, including the opulent Hall of Joyful Longevity, the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the world-famous Long Corridor adorned with intricate paintings, and the iconic Marble Boat floating serenely on Kunming Lake. They’ll share vivid historical anecdotes and lesser-known facts about each site, bringing the Summer Palace’s royal legacy to life. After the guided session, you’re free to explore the on-site museums or wander the garden at your own pace.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
Package 3: Ticket+Round-Trip Private Car Transfer Beat the hassle of navigating public transit to the Summer Palace—located a convenient distance from downtown Beijing—with our private car round-trip service. This package includes either a regular or combination ticket, plus door-to-door transfers between your downtown Beijing hotel and the palace. Skip the crowds and enjoy a comfortable, time-saving journey to and from this iconic landmark. Package 4: All-Inclusive Package (Ticket+Guided Tour+Round-Trip Transfer) Our most popular option for a fully stress-free experience! This package combines all the best of our services: your choice of regular or combination ticket, a 2-hour guided tour with an expert local guide who will showcase the garden’s top attractions, and private round-trip transfers from your downtown hotel. No planning, no transit headaches—just show up and immerse yourself in the Summer Palace’s royal charm.
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Kunming Lake
Pick the package that matches your travel style, and let us take care of the rest!
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Beijing
If you choose the guide service, the meeting point is in front of Summer Palace East gate ticket office( 颐和园东宫门Chinese name for the pick up location)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
If you choose the guide service, the meeting point is in front of Summer Palace East gate ticket office( 颐和园东宫门Chinese name for the pick up location)
Options you can book
Option3: Ticket+Transfer
Option3: Tickets+Transfer: Including Entrance Ticket and round trip private transfer from downtown hotel to the Summer Palace, service is for 4-5 hours
Combination Entry - No Guide
Combination Entry-No Guide : Includes main entrance access and visits to the Museums inside the Summer Palace without guide.
Optio2:Combination Entry+Guide
Including the main entrance, extra gardens&museums in the palace, guided tour for 2 hours, afterwards you can explore museums
Option2:Regular Tickets+Guide
Option2:Regular Tickets+Guide : Including main entrance fee to the palace+2 hours guided tour. Meet your guide at the East Gate of the Summer Palace
Regular Tickets No Guide
Regular Tickets No guide: Regular Tickets cover Summer Palace admission (no guide); museum access is charged separately. Scan your emailed QR code
Option4:Tickets+Guide+Transfer
Option4:Tickets+Guide+Transfer: A driver will pick you up from your downtown hotel & take you on a 2 hour guided tour, driver will safely transport you back.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, en, zh-CN
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Discover Beijing Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The ticket is only valid on the booked travel date. Please note that your reservation is not the actual admission ticket. You will receive a dedicated QR code from us separately, which serves as the valid entry pass—be sure to download it promptly.
- We will send you an email with the QR code ticket 5–7 days before your trip. Download the QR code in advance, and scan it directly to access the Summer Palace on your scheduled travel day.
- The Summer Palace is open daily all year round. However, the on-site museums—accessible only with a combined ticket—remain closed every Monday. For visitors planning a 2-hour visit, a standard ticket will be more than sufficient.
- Please scan the QR code we have send to you at any of the main entrance to get into the Summer Palace.
- Senior is free of charge, but you have to show passport with your date of birth on the spot and explain to them yourself.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 139 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
139 verified traveler reviews for Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Thank you Jack
Pick up from hotel was ontime, very clean and nice car, the driver (Jack) is very helpful. Language is not a problem because he provide us with small device for translation.. Very funny and useful. Thank you
via Viator
Great
Andy was our tour guide, he was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating, he took the time to explain everything
via Viator
Summer Palace guided insights
John explained many interesting facts and insights from the summer palace, things that we couldn't grasp alone, leaving us after two hours with a clear list of things to check around at our pase. Thanks a lot.
via Tripadvisor
Quick, easy, and convenient ticketing
Tickets were provided well in advance, making the whole process seamless. We could enter through any gate, just by scanning the QR code at the turnstile. Super easy! We didn’t use the guide so cannot comment on that. The Summer Palace itself was very pretty - we enjoyed the walk around the lake more than the buildings area by the north gate.
via Viator
Recommended!
It was a good experience - Sherry showed me the whole area . She is very knowledgeable and experienced. I had no problems communicating with her and she answered all my questions. Would recommend
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $5 to $194
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 49
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Discover Beijing Tours, who run 82 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.7.
See everything Discover Beijing Tours runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) cost?
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Prices start at $5 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Beijing usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Beijing is not rushed.
Is Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 139 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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Around 49 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Beijing can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Beijing and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Beijing within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Beijing?
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On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour, Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Group Tours, Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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Included: Private Hotel Round Trip Transfer if you choose option 2 and option 4; Combo ticket if you choose the option( Including extra gardens and museums inside the Summ; English speaking tour guide if you choose option 2 and 3; and Regular Ticket(Main Entrance fee to the Summer Palace). Not included: Gratuites. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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If you choose the guide service, the meeting point is in front of Summer Palace East gate ticket office( 颐和园东宫门Chinese name for the pick up location) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; and The Summer Palace is open daily all year round. However, the on-site museums—accessible on. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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Across 139 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)?
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There are 6 options to choose from, including Option3: Ticket+Transfer, Combination Entry - No Guide, Optio2:Combination Entry+Guide, Option2:Regular Tickets+Guide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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