Three ways to get to the Summer Palace
Three modes. (1) Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen (5-min walk to the north gate) is the easiest international-visitor option. (2) Taxi or Didi from central Beijing: 30-45 min off-peak, 60-90 min in rush hour; ~50-80 RMB. (3) Bus 332, 346, or 712 from central Beijing terminates near East Gate; 40-60 min depending on route. Private driver pickup is the standard for tour visits.
- Drive time from Beijing: Central Beijing: 30-45 min off-peak; subway end-to-end ~45 min
- Typical visit style: Reading: 3 min
- Difficulty: Easy with subway; taxi simple
- Crowds: Subway peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) crowded on Line 4
- Best for: First-time visitors choosing transport mode; Budget travellers comparing options
- Less ideal for: Already on a guided tour - your driver handles it
Inside the park after arrival
Transport options
| Mode | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen | 35-50 min from central | ~5 RMB | International visitors (default) |
| Subway Line 4 to Xiyuan | 40-55 min from central | ~5 RMB | Walk to East Gate (12 min) |
| Taxi / Didi | 30-45 min off-peak | 50-80 RMB | Off-peak hours |
| Bus 332 / 346 / 712 | 40-60 min | ~2 RMB | Budget travellers |
| Private driver | 30-45 min | 200+ RMB | Tour visits, hotel pickup |
Subway: Line 4 Beigongmen vs Xiyuan
Two Line 4 stations serve the Summer Palace. Beigongmen (5-min walk to North Gate) is closer and best if you want the north-entry route through Suzhou Street. Xiyuan (12-min walk to East Gate) is closer to the historic main entrance and best if you prefer the lake-first route. Most international visitors pick Beigongmen for the shorter walk; locals split based on which gate they want to enter.
- Beigongmen: 5-min walk to North Gate.
- Xiyuan: 12-min walk to East Gate.
- Beigongmen if north-entry route (default).
- Xiyuan if East Gate lake-first route.
Taxi / Didi
Tell the driver 'Yiheyuan' (the Mandarin name) or show the East Gate or Beigongmen address. Off-peak drive is 30-45 min from central Beijing; rush hour 60-90 min. Cost 50-80 RMB. Drop-off at East Gate is on the lake-side approach; Beigongmen is the north-side approach. Avoid Sat-Sun midday by 30 min for traffic.
- Say 'Yiheyuan' in Mandarin.
- Off-peak: 30-45 min, 50-80 RMB.
- Rush hour: 60-90 min.
- East Gate or Beigongmen drop-off.
Bus options
Three bus routes commonly used. (1) Bus 332 from Beijing Zoo (east end of central) - terminates at East Gate Summer Palace; 30-40 min depending on traffic. (2) Bus 346 from Beigongmen-area - circular north-arc route. (3) Bus 712 from Wangfujing area - longer but direct. All cost ~2 RMB. Buses are crowded on weekends but reliable. Foreign tourists rarely take buses; subway is usually the right choice.
- Bus 332 from Beijing Zoo: 30-40 min.
- Bus 346 north arc.
- Bus 712 from Wangfujing.
- All ~2 RMB; subway usually preferred.
When to use a private driver
Three scenarios. (1) Part of a guided tour day (private driver included). (2) Coming from outside Beijing centre (hotels in Wangjing, CBD, airports). (3) After a Great Wall day - the GW + SP combo needs a private driver to handle the Mutianyu-to-SP afternoon drive. Private driver pickup: 200+ RMB one-way, but included in our private SP tour day.
- Guided tour days: included.
- Far hotels (CBD, Wangjing): saves 30+ min vs subway.
- GW + SP combo: required.
- 200+ RMB one-way.
Common transport mistakes
Getting off at Beigongmen but planning to enter East Gate
12-min extra walk you didn't plan. Choose the gate first, then the station.
Taking a taxi at Saturday midday
Beijing weekend traffic adds 30-60 min. Take subway instead.
Going to 'Yuanmingyuan' by mistake
Yuanmingyuan is the Old Summer Palace ruins, two subway stops away. Confirm 'Yiheyuan' with the driver.
Bus without a transit card
Buses don't always take cash; carry a transit card or use a payment app.
How to get there FAQ
- Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen (north entry, 5-min walk) is easiest. Taxi or Didi 30-45 min from central Beijing. Bus 332, 346, or 712 from central.
- Beigongmen (5-min walk to North Gate) is closest. Xiyuan (12-min walk to East Gate) is the second option.
- 50-80 RMB from central Beijing depending on origin and time of day.
- Yes - 332, 346, or 712. All ~2 RMB. Subway is faster and more reliable.
- Yes - parking lots at East Gate and Beigongmen. Charges 10-15 RMB/hr. Tour drivers use designated zones.
- Beigongmen if arriving by subway; East Gate if arriving by taxi. The route guide explains the route from each gate.
Plan transit + visit
Our private Summer Palace day handles hotel pickup and parks in the designated zone - you skip the subway / taxi decision.
If you'd rather DIY, the entrances guide covers which gate to enter based on transport.