The Summer Palace is an imperial garden and lake complex in northwest Beijing: pavilions, the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake. It’s a contrast to the Forbidden City’s formality and fits well into a one-day or multi-day plan. This guide covers what to see, how long you need and how to combine it with other sites: plus how to book a Summer Palace private tour or a combo.
Overview
The Summer Palace was an imperial retreat: lakes, hills, pavilions and the famous Long Corridor. You walk, boat (seasonal) and take in views rather than moving through throne halls. It’s more relaxed and scenic than the Forbidden City and pairs well with it in a full day. For more Beijing attractions, see our Beijing city guide.
Who it's for
The Summer Palace suits first-time Beijing visitors, garden and scenery fans and anyone planning one or two major sites in a day. It’s often combined with the Forbidden City (palace + gardens) or compared with the Temple of Heaven when you can only fit one “second” site. If you’re choosing between Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven, see Summer Palace vs Temple of Heaven.
How to visit / what to expect
What to see: The Long Corridor along the lake, the Hall of Benevolent Longevity area, Kunming Lake and key pavilions. You can walk the main loop in 2–3 hours; add time for boat rides (when available) or a slower pace. The site is large but the main highlights are manageable in a half day.
Time needed: About 2–3 hours for the core sights; up to half a day if you explore more. That fits a morning or afternoon slot in a combo day: e.g. Forbidden City in the morning, Summer Palace in the afternoon.
Order: If you’re doing two sites in one day, Forbidden City first and Summer Palace second is a common order; we can also reverse depending on your schedule.
Practical guidance
- Best time: Spring and autumn for weather and greenery; weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water. There are steps and slopes.
- Size: The grounds are large; focus on the Long Corridor and lakeside if time is short.
Combining with other sites
The Summer Palace pairs well with the Forbidden City in one full day. We offer a Forbidden City and Summer Palace combo and a standalone Summer Palace private tour for a half day. If you’re weighing Summer Palace vs Temple of Heaven, see Summer Palace vs Temple of Heaven and our Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace combo.
FAQ
How long do I need at the Summer Palace? 2–3 hours for the main sights; up to half a day for a relaxed visit.
Can I do Summer Palace and Forbidden City in one day? Yes. Forbidden City in the morning and Summer Palace in the afternoon is a popular full-day plan. We offer a Forbidden City and Summer Palace combo.
Summer Palace or Temple of Heaven? Both are strong; the Temple of Heaven is more compact and ritual-focused; the Summer Palace is gardens and lake. See Summer Palace vs Temple of Heaven to compare or do both on our Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace combo.
Related products and next steps
- Summer Palace private tour**: Half-day private tour.
- Forbidden City and Summer Palace combo**: Full-day combo.
- Beijing day tours**: All combo day tours.
- Beijing city guide**: Beijing attractions.
Book a Summer Palace private tour
Ready to visit the Summer Palace? Inquire or book our Summer Palace private tour for a half day or our Forbidden City and Summer Palace combo for a full day.