How to visit Summer Palace: Avoid the tour bus trap

I have lost count of how many families I have rescued from the wrong gate. They queue for an hour, then realise they are at the back door. The Summer Palace is massive—290 hectares. If you enter blind, you will waste time and money. Here is the catch: most online guides tell you to start from the East Palace Gate. I always tell my clients to do the opposite. Let me show you exactly how to visit Summer Palace like a local who has done this hundreds of times.

Bottom line: Go after 3 PM on a weekday, enter from the North Gate (Beigongmen), and skip the crowded corridor at noon. You will thank me later.

Before you go: tickets, timing & money

Tickets require pre-booking. There is no on-site sales counter that accepts cash or international cards. Yes, it is frustrating. But once you know the flow, it is easy.

One more thing: bring a power bank. The WeChat app drains battery fast when you are fiddling with QR codes.

How to get to the Summer Palace

You have three solid options. Here is my honest breakdown based on what works best for most tourists.

Metro (subway) – recommended

Line 4, get off at Beigongmen Station (Exit D). Walk 3 minutes east to the North Gate. This gate puts you right next to the Suzhou Street and the back hill—less crowded than East Gate. Travel time from Tiananmen: ~40 minutes.

Taxi / Didi

From central Beijing, expect 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Cost: around 60-100 RMB. Tell the driver to drop you at Beigongmen (North Gate) – not the main East Gate. I have seen too many taxis get stuck in the traffic circle near the East Gate.

Bus

Bus 332, 394, or 718 to “Yiheyuan” stop. Walk 800 meters. Not ideal if you have heavy luggage or limited time.

Personally, I always take the metro. It is predictable, and the walk from Beigongmen station is flat and pleasant.

The best route: enter from the right gate

Most tourists pour in through the East Palace Gate (Donggongmen). By 10 AM, that area is a zoo. Here is my recommended route that avoids 80% of the crowd.

Start at North Gate (Beigongmen). This gate feeds into the Suzhou Street area, a replica of a canal town. It is quiet, photogenic, and a great warm-up. Then walk south along the back hill—shady, cool, and dotted with small temples. You will reach the Long Corridor in about 20 minutes. By then (around 4 PM), the corridor will be thinning out because tour groups are heading for the exit. Perfect timing to snap the iconic view of Kunming Lake without elbows in your face.

Continue to the South Lake Island and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. The sunset from here is stunning—golden light reflecting off the lake. I always tell my guests to sit on the stone steps at the east end of the bridge. No one thinks of it, but the angle is killer.

Finally, exit through the East Gate. You will have covered the highlights in a logical loop, and you skipped the worst crowds. Total walking time: about 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Must-see spots & hidden gems

You cannot see everything in one day. Focus on these, and you will leave satisfied.

• Long Corridor (Changlang): 728-meter covered walkway with 14,000 painted beams. Don't just walk—look up. The scenes are from Chinese classics. Best time: late afternoon when tour groups are gone.
• Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge): The iconic octagonal tower on the hill. There is an extra ticket (10 RMB) but worth it for the panoramic view. Note: the climb is steep—about 100 steps. Take water.
• Kunming Lake & Seventeen-Arch Bridge: The classic photo spot. Walk across the bridge to Nanhu Island. There is a small pavilion with a marble boat replica inside—most people miss it.
• Suzhou Street: A Ming dynasty-style shopping street on the water. It is kitschy but fun. You can buy peking opera masks and try paper-cutting. Prices are higher than outside, but I like the atmosphere.
• Garden of Virtuous Harmony (Dehe Garden): The original imperial theater. If you are interested in opera, check the schedule—sometimes there are short performances.

Where to eat nearby (and avoid tourist traps)

Inside the park, food is overpriced and mediocre. The instant noodles near the Long Corridor cost 20 RMB and taste like cardboard. Instead, walk out of the East Gate and head to Yiheyuan Road. My go-to is Lao Beijing Zhajiangmian (老北京炸酱面) at No. 68. Address: 68 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District. Google Maps rating: 4.3. Their signature noodle bowl (25 RMB) comes with thick dark sauce and shredded pork. I always order a side of garlic cucumber (8 RMB). Payment: WeChat Pay or Alipay. No international cards. Cash works if you have small bills.

If you are craving something lighter, there is a Chagee tea shop 200 meters from the East Gate. Their jasmine latte (28 RMB) is a lifesaver on a hot day.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Going to the East Gate at noon: That is when the tour buses arrive. The queue for combo tickets can be 40 minutes. Use the North Gate instead.
• Wearing high heels or hard shoes: The paths are cobblestone and uneven. I once guided a lady in 5-inch heels. She was miserable. Wear cushioned sneakers.
• Carrying large backpacks: There is no luggage storage. Leave big bags at your hotel. If you forget, try the tourist service center near the East Gate—but it is often full.
• Only bringing phone for photos: The lake reflection shots are better with a polarizer filter if you have a camera. But phones work fine if you wipe the lens (most people forget).
• Thinking you can pay by card: Almost no vendor inside or nearby accepts Visa/Mastercard. Prepare WeChat Pay or Alipay, or carry enough cash (500 RMB should cover food, drinks, and small souvenirs).

FAQ: Your burning questions answered

This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision.