Private Tour
Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
No Beijing itinerary is complete without the Summer Palace—the city’s iconic imperial garden and a must-visit landmark. Securing tickets in advance can be a hassle, but we’re here to streamline your trip: book with us ahead of time, skip the long on-site queues, and explore this sprawling heritage site stress-free.
Choose from two core ticket options tailored to your schedule: a regular ticket, perfect for a 1–2 hour visit to the main garden areas; or a combination ticket, ideal if you plan to stay 2 hours or longer and want access to the palace’s exclusive on-site museums (closed on Mondays).
To make your journey even more convenient—especially since the Summer Palace is a distance from downtown—we also offer upgraded packages including a 2-hour guided tour, round-trip city transportation, or a fully inclusive bundle with tour, transfers and driver service.
Additional Info
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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The ticket is only valid on the booked travel date. Please note that your reservation is not the actual admission ticket. You will receive a dedicated QR code from us separately, which serves as the valid entry pass—be sure to download it promptly.
We will send you an email with the QR code ticket 5–7 days before your trip. Download the QR code in advance, and scan it directly to access the Summer Palace on your scheduled travel day.
The Summer Palace is open daily all year round. However, the on-site museums—accessible only with a combined ticket—remain closed every Monday. For visitors planning a 2-hour visit, a standard ticket will be more than sufficient.
Please scan the QR code we have send to you at any of the main entrance to get into the Summer Palace.
Senior is free of charge, but you have to show passport with your date of birth on the spot and explain to them yourself.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
Explore Beijing’s iconic imperial garden hassle-free with our four tailored packages, designed to fit every traveler’s needs and schedule: Package 1: Ticket-Only Service Choose between two ticket types, with your entry QR code delivered via email 5–7 days before your travel date—be sure to download it upon receipt, as this is your sole entry credential. Simply scan the QR code at the gate on your tour day, and note that the code is required at every checkpoint within the palace grounds. Regular Ticket: Perfect for a 1–2 hour visit, granting access to the Summer Palace’s core scenic areas, including its iconic lakes and pavilions. Combination Ticket: Ideal for stays of 2 hours or longer, unlocking entry to exclusive attractions like the Grand Opera House, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Suzhou Street, and the Summer Palace Museum (please note these sites are closed on Mondays).
Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
Elevate your visit with a knowledgeable local guide who will meet you at the East Gate of the Summer Palace. You can opt for either a regular or combination ticket with this package. Over two informative hours, your guide will lead you through the garden’s most celebrated landmarks, including the opulent Hall of Joyful Longevity, the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the world-famous Long Corridor adorned with intricate paintings, and the iconic Marble Boat floating serenely on Kunming Lake. They’ll share vivid historical anecdotes and lesser-known facts about each site, bringing the Summer Palace’s royal legacy to life. After the guided session, you’re free to explore the on-site museums or wander the garden at your own pace.
What‘s Included
Private Hotel Round Trip Transfer if you choose option 2 and option 4
Combo ticket if you choose the option( Including extra gardens and museums inside the Summer Palace)
English speaking tour guide if you choose option 2 and 3
Regular Ticket(Main Entrance fee to the Summer Palace)
Gratuites
Options
Optio2:Combination Entry+Guide
Including the main entrance, extra gardens&museums in the palace, guided tour for 2 hours, afterwards you can explore museums
Regular Tickets No Guide
Regular Tickets No guide: Regular Tickets cover Summer Palace admission (no guide); museum access is charged separately. Scan your emailed QR code
Combination Entry - No Guide
Combination Entry-No Guide : Includes main entrance access and visits to the Museums inside the Summer Palace without guide.
Option3: Ticket+Transfer
Option3: Tickets+Transfer: Including Entrance Ticket and round trip private transfer from downtown hotel to the Summer Palace, service is for 4-5 hours
Option4:Tickets+Guide+Transfer
Option4:Tickets+Guide+Transfer: A driver will pick you up from your downtown hotel & take you on a 2 hour guided tour, driver will safely transport you back.
Option2:Regular Tickets+Guide
Option2:Regular Tickets+Guide : Including main entrance fee to the palace+2 hours guided tour. Meet your guide at the East Gate of the Summer Palace
Reviews
117 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Summer palace personal guide
Lee S,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mike is a knowledgeable guide familar with the details of the summer palace. He is able to answer fine details and even enactments of interesting happenings within the palace.
Fraud!! Don’t buy from the operator
Julia G,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00They’ve sent me a corrupted file, which the QR code did not open. I questioned them, asked for help and they only answered me almost 2 hours after the expected time of my visit, with another file that would not open. By the mean time, I ended up buying in the ticket office by myself, to make sure I would not loose my tourism day. When I questioned them and Viator, they refused my refund request. Based on this experience, I would not recommend Viator and even more the operator
Great tour!
Kathleen Y,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was excellent- gave a thorough history of the Summer Palace and told fun and interesting stories about palace intrigues!
Great, informative tour with Sherry from Discover Beijing Tours
stacys323,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a super informative and interesting 2 hour tour of the Summer Palace with Sherry from Discover Beijing Tours as our guide. Sherry provided thorough background information on the Palace and its history, including making connections with information we learned when touring the Forbidden City earlier. Sherry answered every question we had about the Palace and more generally about Beijing - historical and current. Sherry also offered to take our photo against the best backdrops. We would highly recommend Sherry as a guide.
Great 2 hour tour with Susan
MJC1000,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent and informative tour around the Summer Palace and its gardens. Susan was an excellent guide, lots of great information and all very clear. Would highly recommend this tour to give you the history of this great palace and its gardens. To note, lots of walking and it’s 200 steps up if you want to go to the highest point. If you can face the steps do it as the views from the top are stunning!
Private tour Summer Palace
Isabelle L,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked this tour a day in advance and chose the private option, which was fantastic and made the experience feel truly personalized. I arrived quite late, but my guide waited for me patiently, which I really appreciated. My day had started off badly, but my tour guide completely turned it around. The session was very informative, and I loved having one-on-one photo opportunities at our own pace. The area is huge and difficult to cover in a short time, so it was great to have someone guide me through the top highlights. I really enjoyed the tour and received excellent recommendations from my guide on where to go next. The summer palace is as beautiful as the Forbidden city and I highly recommend this visit .
Great Summer Palace Tour!
felixlX5817DZ,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with Cassie, she gave us a great understanding of the Summer Palace’s history. We recommend her for the tour.
Beautiful experience,...
Angelica f,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful experience, wonderful place surrounded by greenery in total tranquility! He deserves so much! Thanks to Li for your support!
Absolutely worth seeing! ...
Katja S,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Absolutely worth seeing! Please pay close attention to what the ticket is valid for. Maybe check with Viator. We were misled by the title "Ticket for Summer Palace". He wasn't there himself.
Amazing, personal service
Ross C,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I did not expect to have a personal driver for the day, and a former tour guide at that! Li Qingshan was excellent, bringing me to the Summer Palace, and offering to go to the Great Wall. I didn't have time for that but when we came back into Beijing we made a brief stop at the Bird's Nest and Olympic park, and then did a tea ceremony too! He really impressed me with his historical knowledge and was very excited to share his city with me.
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Operated by Discover Beijing Tours