How to Beat the Crowds at the Summer Palace, Beijing
The Summer Palace's entry ticket is cheap (about 20-30 yuan, more for a combo with the inner sites), and foreigners can book with a passport on the official "Summer Palace" WeChat account. Go at opening on a weekday, start at the East Palace Gate, and walk the Long Corridor before the tour groups arrive.
- Entry
- About 20-30 yuan by season
- Combo
- Higher, includes inner sites
- Booking
- WeChat 'Summer Palace' account, with passport
- Over 60s
- Free with passport
- Best time
- Opening on a weekday
- Busiest
- Weekends, Chinese holidays
- Time to allow
- 3-4 hours
How busy is the Summer Palace?
The Summer Palace is huge, but the Long Corridor, the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Marble Boat are crowded from mid-morning, especially on Chinese holidays like Golden Week.
Before you go, check how busy the Summer Palace is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Chinese holidays, school breaks and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Summer Palace →Best (and worst) times to go
- Opening: a quiet Long Corridor.
- Late afternoon: sunset over Kunming Lake.
- Worst: Golden Week and weekend late mornings.
Our hourly forecast for the Summer Palace shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Summer Palace →Insider tips that actually save time
- Get the combo ticket for the Tower of Buddhist Incense.