Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden worth booking?
Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden is a 5-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $60 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $60 per person
Escape the crowds with our Private Garden Tour of the Summer Palace & Beijing Botanical Garden — Beijing’s ultimate blend of imperial grandeur and natural serenity, tailored for discerning travelers. Explore the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial retreat. Skip the tourist throngs as your private guide leads you to hidden lakeside pavilions, intricate stone bridges, and lush gardens where ancient trees tell royal tales. Every corner is a photo-perfect moment steeped in history. Then, unwind in the Beijing Botanical Garden, a urban oasis brimming with global flora — vibrant seasonal blooms, rare exotic plants, and towering ancient trees. No rushed itineraries, no crowded groups — just peaceful, immersive moments that turn trips into lifelong memories. Book now — your exclusive slice of Beijing’s beauty awaits.
What you get
About this experience
Escape the crowds with our Private Garden Tour of the Summer Palace & Beijing Botanical Garden — Beijing’s ultimate blend of imperial grandeur and natural serenity, tailored for discerning travelers. Explore the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial retreat. Skip the tourist throngs as your private guide leads you to hidden lakeside pavilions, intricate stone bridges, and lush gardens where ancient trees tell royal tales. Every corner is a photo-perfect moment steeped in history. Then, unwind in the Beijing Botanical Garden, a urban oasis brimming with global flora — vibrant seasonal blooms, rare exotic plants, and towering ancient trees. No rushed itineraries, no crowded groups — just peaceful, immersive moments that turn trips into lifelong memories. Book now — your exclusive slice of Beijing’s beauty awaits.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance fee
- Transport by private vehicle
Not included
- Gratuities
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Summer Palace
A professional guide and driver will arrive promptly at your downtown Beijing hotel. Enjoy door-to-door private transfer throughout the day, eliminating the hassle of transportation. The drive from downtown hotels to the Summer Palace takes approximately 30-40 minutes (varies slightly based on hotel location and traffic conditions). En route, your guide will briefly introduce tour highlights and key notes. Upon arrival, follow your guide to enter the Summer Palace through its main gate, the East Palace Gate, and embark on an immersive journey through this imperial garden.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
The tour route is arranged for optimal flow: start with a visit to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity-the core political venue of the imperial garden. It was the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu held court and handled government affairs. The hall is decorated with magnificent furniture and imperial symbols. Inside, you can see a throne where the emperor sat, surrounded by various precious antiques and decorations. The architecture of the hall is a blend of traditional Chinese style, with its upturned eaves and wooden structures, reflecting the imperial power and dignity of that time.
10 minutes here · Admission included
Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
Continue onward to the Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshou Tang), a former residence of Empress Dowager Cixi. Next, head to the Long Corridor (Long Lang), a masterpiece of Chinese garden architecture. Your guide will share fascinating stories behind the thousands of colorful paintings on the corridor’s ceiling, depicting historical events, myths, and landscapes.
Pass by without stopping
Kunming Lake
After the Long Corridor, you can choose to take a dragon - boat cruise on the Kunming Lake (at your own expense). The lake covers a large area and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. During the cruise, you can admire the pavilions, temples, and bridges that dot the lakeshore. The Western Hills in the distance provide a stunning backdrop, creating a picture - perfect view. You can see the Seventeen - Arch Bridge, which spans the lake and connects the South Island to the east bank. The bridge is decorated with stone lions of different shapes and sizes, adding to its charm.
Pass by without stopping
Qingyan Stone Boat
Your tour of the Summer Palace concludes at the Marble Boat. This unique and famous structure is located on the northwest shore of Kunming Lake. The stone boat is made entirely of marble and was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. It has two floors and is decorated with intricate carvings. Not only does it serve as an interesting architectural feature, but it also symbolizes the stability of the imperial power, as the boat will never sink in the water.
Pass by without stopping
Beijing Botanical Garden
After the Summer Palace tour, proceed to the Beijing Botanical Garden. Founded in 1956, this sprawling urban oasis boasts a rich history of plant conservation and research, housing over 1.5 million plants from more than 10,000 species worldwide. Explore its diverse zones, including the Rare Plant Garden, Peony Garden, and Ancient Tree Area, where you can admire vibrant seasonal blooms, rare exotic flora, and centuries-old trees. It’s a perfect retreat to unwind amid nature after the imperial garden tour. Conclude the day’s journey, and your guide and driver will transfer you back to your Beijing hotel safely and comfortably.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Unique Beijing Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Sweet Summer Palace Trip
The Summer Palace/Botanical Garden tour was an amazing experience and a great way to wrap up my try to China. I couldn't have had a bette tour guide than Susan. She was very knowledgeable and allowed me to enjoy each local at my own pace while answering all the questions I had. We took the boat tour out on the lake at the Summer Palace. It was very nice but honestly too short, I would have liked to see that be longer. The Botanical Garden was very lovely, very large with no way to see all it had to offer in just a couple hours. This would be a great place to spend a full day just walking around and enjoying all of the beautiful horticulture. All in all, I could have spent a day at each stop, the Summer Palace and the Botanical Garden. if I must pick my favorite part of the day, it would have to be the green bean ice cream :-) A great experience with a great tour guide! I will definitely book more trips when I return to China!
via Tripadvisor
This was a fantastic tour! Both...
<p>This was a fantastic tour! Both Bella, the tour guide, and the driver were very professional. Bella spoke English very clearly and was very knowledgeable regarding the history of the Summer Palace. Just thinking of the Beijing Botanical Gardens brings a smile to my face. It was wonderful timing, spring time, the flowers were in full bloom and the fragrance is unforgettable.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $60 to $268
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Unique Beijing Tours, who run 279 experiences we rank across 13 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.6.
See everything Unique Beijing Tours runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden cost?
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Prices start at $60 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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden take?
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Plan for about 5 hours 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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden?
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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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden?
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Around 1 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden 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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Professional guide; Bottled water; Entrance fee; and Transport by private vehicle. Not included: Gratuities; and Meals. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2818 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden offered in?
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It runs in 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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden?
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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 Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Beijing. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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