3. The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was formerly named Garden of Clear Ripples. It is the palace and garden of emperors of Qing dynasty. Covering an area of 290 hectares, the Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved existing royal garden in China. It is one of the four prestigious gardens in China and is reputed as the royal garden museum. The Summer Palace is a masterpiece that epitomizes Chinese garden architecture art, and enjoys a prominent status in the garden art history both at home and abroad.
Address: No.19 Xinjiangongmen road, Haidian District of Beijing
Main Attractions: Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, Grand Opera Tower, Oriole-Listening Hall, 17-Arch Bridge
Website: http://www.summerpalace-china.com/en/
Tel: +86-10-62881144
Tickets:
Admission: CNY 30 (peak season); CNY 20 (off season)
Combined ticket for scenic spots in the Summer Palace:
CNY 60 (peak season); CNY 50 (off season)
Opening hours:
Peak season: April 1 to October 31
Opening hours of the gate: 6:30-18:00
Opening hours of the gardens: 8:30-17:00
Closed at: 20:00
Off season: November 1 to March 31
Opening hours of the gate: 7:00-17:00
Opening hours of the gardens: 9:00-16:00
Closed at: 19:00
*Tourists are not allowed to enter the garden after the ticket sale is closed. Please leave the garden on time.
How to get there
By subway: take subway line 4 to Beigongmen station (exit D)
By bus: take Bus 74 / 374 / 437 to Yiheyuan Xinjiangongmen stop