Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing
Beijing, China

Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing

Outty Ranking 65 5.0 · 5 traveler reviews1.7 hoursFrom $15

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$15
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Outty Ranking

65/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing worth booking?

Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing is a 1.7-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $15 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
65 / 100
Rating
5/5 (5)
Duration
1.7 hours
From
$15 per person

Starting your tour in the summer Palace from the North Palace Gate makes your tour more enjoyable by avoiding the big crowd from the main enterance. Boating on the lake (around 15 minutes boat ride) during the tour makes

What you get

    About this experience

    Starting your tour in the summer Palace from the North Palace Gate makes your tour more enjoyable by avoiding the big crowd from the main enterance. Boating on the lake (around 15 minutes boat ride) during the tour makes your tour less exhausting. Walking on the lakeside enables you to enjoy the beautiful sunset if you are visiting the Summer Palace in the afternoon.(Approximately 18:00 is the sunset time during September and December)

    What's included

    Included

    • Admission ticket
    • Excellent English Speaking Tour Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • boat ride fee

    What you'll see and do

    1. Suzhou Market Street

      The tour guide led the tourists to the Suzhou Street in the Summer Palace. This is a commercial street modeled after the water town SuZhou City. It used to be a place for the imperial family to amuse themselves. Now, even just strolling along the street, tourists can still experience a unique sense of ancient charm.

      15 minutes here

    2. A group of temples in Tibetan style will make the tourists feel that they are in Tibet and walking through this group of temples will make them feel the solemn atmosphere and see the beauty of the Chinese ancient buildings.

      15 minutes here

    3. Traveling in a pictorial world

      It's a group of buildings that located on the Longevity Hill,which is the best view point to enjoy the whole view of the Kunming Lake and part of the city.

      15 minutes here

    4. Kunming Lake

      When stolling along the Long Corridor,we will be so close to the lakeside.You will see even the fish and the Manderin Ducks.

      15 minutes here

    5. Long Corridor at the Summer Palace

      As the longest corridor(painted walk way)in the whole world, according to the Guinness Book of records,more than 14 thousands of paintings are on top of the ceilings and beams,all of which are all different from each other.

      10 minutes here

    6. Standing on the very top of the Longevity Hill,it's one of the very few old buildings from the original time,which is the 1750s.(Most of the other buildings were destroyed by the British and French during the Opium War.

      10 minutes here

    7. Hall of Happiness and Longevity

      As part of the living quarters of the Summer Palace,this area was exclusive for the mothers of the emperors.It's the most spacious courtyard of the three courtyards.

      15 minutes here

    8. Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

      As the main building in the political section,the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is the second larges building of its type all over China after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden city.It witnessed so many important historical affairs before the last dynasty came to an end...

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Beijing

    The tour guide will meet you at the North Palace Gate of the Summer Palace. Directions:Take the exit D, Beigongmen Station,subway line 4,then walk along the street towards the west direction for 5 minutes. Find the guide who is by the stone lion on the square.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    East Palace Gate of the Summer Palace

    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 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Talktome

    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
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 2Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 3Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 4Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 5Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 6Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing in Beijing, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Physical effort

    1 mention

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    5
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Daniel_G · March 2026

    Very interesting facts...

    Very interesting facts about the summer palace. Also the guide was very nice and knew all the good spots :)

    via Viator

    Phanita_C · February 2026

    Knowledgeable tour guide with perfect tour timing

    I took a tour with Jack James because of the timing was not too early or too late, was supposed to be a join tour but turned out there was only me. Jack James told the story of the palace as well as guided me on some best photo spots. He is very knowledgeable guide. I found that the tour offers a perfect timing, it involves some nice walks and several stairs climbing - it was just great. Highly recommended the tour.

    via Viator

    Laurin_K · January 2026

    Janes is one heck of a...

    Janes is one heck of a funny guy and the tour was engagin and interesting. Nothing crazy, but you get a nice tour of the beautiful sunmer palace.

    via Viator

    Bethany_M · December 2025

    Summer palace tour in the snow

    James gave me a tour around the summer palace. He was knowledgeable on the history and fluent in English. He also offered and pointed out places to take photos.

    via Viator

    Jennifer_S · July 2025

    Guided tour of the Summer Palace

    The guided tour was incredibly informative! The Summer Palace is a must-see attraction in Beijing and the guides shared the history and culture. We learned so many interesting facts! The guides also knew the best places to take photos.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $15 to $39
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 65

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)93
    Review evidence (18% weight)31
    Booking momentum (14% weight)23
    Value for money (12% weight)71
    Listing quality (10% weight)71
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.

    How much does Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing cost?

    +

    Prices start at $15 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 Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.7 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 Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 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 Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing?

    +

    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 Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing?

    +

    Around 2 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?

    +

    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 1.7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Summer Palace Walking Tour - Beijing start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options, Beijing: Top 6 Highlights All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour, Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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