Beijing Summer Palace: Direct Entry Ticket & Kunming Lake

Kunming Lake spreads out in front of you: 728 meters of covered corridor waiting

You arrive at the east gate with a QR code, skip the ticket line, and spend your day exploring the Summer Palace's 70,000 square meters of palaces, gardens and ancient structures. You walk the 728-meter Long Corridor along Kunming Lake, see the Hall of Industrious Government and Suzhou Street, and move at your own pace through one of China's first protected cultural heritage sites. The QR code arrives seven days before your visit date.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Summer Palace highlights

• Enter Summer Palace via east gate
• Visit Hall of Industrious Government
• Walk around Kunming Lake
• Explore Empress Dowager Cixi's residence
• Stroll along the Long Corridor
• Visit Suzhou Street

The experience

The east gate of the Summer Palace appears, and you're holding a QR code on your phone instead of standing in a ticket line. Security check, scan, and you're through: no negotiation, no waiting for someone else to figure out the system. The Summer Palace sits across 3,008 square kilometers, three-fourths of it water, and you've got the whole day to move through it at whatever pace makes sense. Peak season runs April through October with last entry at 6pm. If you're going November to March, entry closes at 5pm, so timing matters when you book.

The Long Corridor is the thing people mention first: 728 meters of covered promenade running along the northern shore of Kunming Lake, connecting the buildings at the foot of Longevity Hill. It's the longest garden corridor in China, and walking it means you're moving through centuries without the sun beating down on you. The lake itself was built in the early 18th century during the Qing Dynasty, originally called Wengshan Lake before they renamed it Kunming to honor the emperor's hometown. It was meant to recreate the West Lake in Hangzhou, which was considered the most beautiful lake at the time, and standing there, you understand why someone wanted to build that memory into stone and water.

Suzhou Street is the most visited spot, a recreation of South China towns from 1750 where emperors and empresses used to walk for leisure. The Hall of Industrious Government was built in 1750 and renamed after the Summer Palace was rebuilt, suggesting that benevolent rulers would enjoy long lives. The empress dowager's quarters (mostly wood construction for ventilation and light) sit as the major architectural structure in the living quarters. You move between these spaces on your own time, no guide narrating, no group waiting for stragglers. The ticket arrives as a QR code seven days before your travel date, and you'll need your passport name and number at booking for all participants. Bring your actual passport on the day you visit for the security check at the gate.

What’s included

• Admission ticket to the Summer Palace with direct entry via QR code at the east gate.
• access to all palace buildings, gardens and structures including the Long Corridor, Kunming Lake, Suzhou Street, and the Hall of Industrious Government.
• wheelchair accessibility throughout the grounds.

Options for this experience

2 options

Entry ticket to the Park Grounds23 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00Lasts 3 hours. Note that this covers park entry only and does not include Buddha Incense Pavilion, Dehe Garden, Suzhou Street or Wenchang Courtyard Museum. It is a self-guided visit with no guide, so you can go at your own pace. Children under 6 and seniors over 60 enter free and can go straight in with a passport. You will receive a QR code ticket 4-5 days in advance; scan it to enter the Summer Palace.

Combo ticket for the Summer Palace20 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:30Lasts 3 hours, with no guide and time to explore at your own pace. Children under 6 and seniors over 60 enter free; they can go straight in with a passport. The combined ticket covers main park entry plus four attractions: Buddha Incense Pavilion, Dehe Garden, Suzhou Street and Wenchang Courtyard Museum. You will receive a QR code ticket 4-5 days in advance; scan it to enter the Summer Palace.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day23 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 18:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Child (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Lily's Tour Company

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to explore the Summer Palace without arranging a ticket in advance or waiting in line at the gate: the QR code sent a week early means you arrive ready to walk straight through security and start your day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

When does the Summer Palace close for entry?

Last entry is 6pm April through October, and 5pm November through March. The palace is closed Mondays during slow season (November to March).

When will I receive my ticket?

The QR code is sent seven days before your travel date. You'll show it at the security check at the east gate.

What do I need to bring on the day of my visit?

Bring your passport for the security check at the gate. You'll also need the QR code on your phone.

Is the Summer Palace accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the Summer Palace is wheelchair accessible.

How large is the Summer Palace?

It covers 3,008 square kilometers, with three-fourths being water (mainly Kunming Lake). The building space totals 70,000 square meters.

What happens if I can't visit on the date I booked?

The ticket is only valid on the specific day you book to travel. Check the booking terms for changes or cancellations.

Do I need a guide to visit the Summer Palace?

No, this is direct entry only. You explore the palace independently at your own pace.