Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination worth booking?
Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination is a 3-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $118 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $118 per person
Seize the rare chance to explore the Summer Palace after dark—far from the daytime crowds. Marvel at the iconic Seventeen-Arch Bridge bathed in golden sunset glow, wander through lantern-lit courtyards and tranquil gardens, and let your knowledgeable guide weave vivid tales of the palace’s imperial history, bringing ancient legends to life right before your eyes. Choose from 3 tailored packages to craft your perfect Beijing night: Basic Night Tour: Enjoy the core Summer Palace evening exploration, with flexible options to extend your adventure—drive past Tian’anmen Square, the glittering CBD, or any other landmark on your wishlist. Night Tour+Dinner: Upgrade your experience with a delicious dinner of your choice: savor authentic Peking duck, hot pot or other local specialties. Night Tour+Hutong Snack Feast: After exploring the Summer Palace, dive into Beijing’s alleyway culture and taste 15+ different local hutong snacks—a flavorful journey through the city’s street food heritage.
What you get
About this experience
Seize the rare chance to explore the Summer Palace after dark—far from the daytime crowds. Marvel at the iconic Seventeen-Arch Bridge bathed in golden sunset glow, wander through lantern-lit courtyards and tranquil gardens, and let your knowledgeable guide weave vivid tales of the palace’s imperial history, bringing ancient legends to life right before your eyes. Choose from 3 tailored packages to craft your perfect Beijing night: Basic Night Tour: Enjoy the core Summer Palace evening exploration, with flexible options to extend your adventure—drive past Tian’anmen Square, the glittering CBD, or any other landmark on your wishlist. Night Tour+Dinner: Upgrade your experience with a delicious dinner of your choice: savor authentic Peking duck, hot pot or other local specialties. Night Tour+Hutong Snack Feast: After exploring the Summer Palace, dive into Beijing’s alleyway culture and taste 15+ different local hutong snacks—a flavorful journey through the city’s street food heritage.
What's included
Included
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fee to the Summer Palace
- Meals
Not included
- Gratuities
- Dinner
What you'll see and do
Beijing
Choose from our three thoughtfully crafted packages below to curate your perfect Beijing night out—tailor the experience to your preferences, and feel free to discuss any specific landmarks or spots you wish to visit with your guide for a fully personalized journey. Option 1: Basic Night Tour Seize the rare chance to explore the Summer Palace after dark, far from the hustle and bustle of daytime crowds. Marvel at the Seventeen-Arch Bridge glowing under the golden hues of sunset, wander through lantern-draped imperial courtyards and serene gardens, and let your knowledgeable guide bring the palace’s storied imperial history to life with vivid anecdotes. After the Summer Palace exploration, extend your adventure with flexible options: drive past the iconic Tian’anmen Square, the glittering CBD skyline, or any other landmark on your bucket list.
Pass by without stopping
Summer Palace
Option 2: Night Tour + Dinner Enjoy all the highlights of the Basic Night Tour, then elevate your evening with a delicious dinner of your choice. Savor world-famous authentic Peking duck with crispy skin and tender meat, warm up with a hearty pot of traditional Chinese hot pot, or indulge in other local Beijing specialties at a carefully selected restaurant. It’s the perfect blend of cultural exploration and culinary delight.
20 minutes here
Tiananmen Square
Option 3: Night Tour + Hutong Snack FeastExperience the ultimate customized Beijing night: start with the enchanting Summer Palace evening tour, then dive deep into the city’s alleyway culture. Follow your guide to a lively hutong area, where you’ll get to taste 15+ different local street snacks—from savory jianbing (Chinese crepes) and crispy fried dough sticks to sweet tanghulu (candied hawthorns) and creamy doujiang (soy milk). This package lets you soak up both imperial grandeur and the authentic, down-to-earth flavors of old Beijing.
Pass by without stopping
Hall of Happiness and Longevity
Wander through this imperial retreat, your guide will unravel the rich, storied past of the Summer Palace, taking you to visit its most significant landmarks. If you arrive at the northern area before 6 p.m., you’ll also have the chance to explore several exquisite courtyards—including the emperor’s private bedroom, Emperor Qianlong’s elegant bookstore, and the exclusive courtyard of Empress Dowager Cixi. You’ll gain fascinating insights into Cixi’s life and the dramatic tales of the late Qing Dynasty that unfolded within these very walls.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
Head up to explore the Long Corridor which is simply an art gallery with more than 8,000 vivid colorful landscapes, portraits and traditional Chinese style paintings of birds and flowers. It was built in the shape of a bat with open wings since the Chinese word for the nocturnal animal is pronounced in the same way as happiness and fortune. While stroll along the world's longest art gallery. Hear amazing legendary stories, traditions from your guide under the moonlight.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Kunming Lake
Move on to the Marble Boat, which was built in 1755 by the Qianlong Emperor with the purpose to warning the government to do things right for the people. Your Summer Palace walking tour will ends here, your tour guide will introduce you to the best that the Summer Palace has to offer – from the reason why it's been built to the clash of the Qing Dynasty. The tour filling with stories of Qing Dynasy and the life of the dragon lady- Ci'xi. So you will leave not just having seen the Summer Palace, but having experienced it.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Olympic Park
Customize the rest of the tour according to your wish. Drive pass by the Beijing Olympic Park where you can enjoy amazing lights of the area.
Pass by without stopping
Shichahai Scenic Resort
Wander through Shichahai/Houhai—Beijing’s iconic nightlife hub—where you can browse charming boutique shops and cozy waterfront restaurants at your leisure. Alternatively, opt to visit Jingshan Park for a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the Forbidden City, or take a scenic drive to snap photos at iconic spots like Qianmen Street, the bustling local snack alleys, Tian’anmen Square, and the striking National Centre for the Performing Arts. At the end of your unforgettable evening, we’ll ensure a comfortable ride back to your downtown Beijing hotel.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Option 2: Tour + Dinner
Option 2: Tour + Dinner : Customize the night tour attractions after the Summer Palace tour, enjoy a one-hour dinner(Peking duck/hot pot/Sichuan etc. Pickup included
Option 3:Night Tour+Food Taste
Option 3:Night Tour+Food Taste: Includes a Summer Palace visit, customizable urban night tour spots plus a 1-hour hutong stop to sample 15+ food tastes. Pickup included
Option 1: Night Tour
Option 1: Night Tour: This package includes a visit to the Summer Palace plus a Beijing night tour of scenic spots, with a total duration of 4 hour Pickup included
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
- Discover Beijing Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wow.
Can’t say enough about this tour, guide and driver. The Summer Palace is amazing. Such tranquility after the day at the Forbidden City. We never had to wait for our driver. The tour was relaxed and entertaining. Loved the stop at the Bird’s Nest and Water cube. Well worth it. Walking around the lake with the shops and restaurants was lovely and the foodi extra was amazing. If we were in Beijing longer I would go on the foodi tour. Loved it all.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $118 to $289
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
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 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination cost?
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Prices start at $118 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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination?
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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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination?
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Around 0 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination 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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination?
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Included: Professional English-speaking guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Transport by air-conditioned vehicle; Entrance fee to the Summer Palace; and Meals. Not included: Gratuities; and Dinner. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2483 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination 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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination?
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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 Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination 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.
What booking options are available for Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Option 2: Tour + Dinner, Option 3:Night Tour+Food Taste, Option 1: Night Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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