Beijing: Summer Palace & Lama Temple Self-Guided Tickets

Two of Beijing's grandest sites, no guide, no rush — just you and your phone

You book tickets online, receive QR codes, and visit the Lama Temple and Summer Palace independently. Entry fees and booking service are included; you arrange your own transport between sites and back to your hotel. No guide, no fixed schedule, no group — just two of Beijing's most significant landmarks at whatever pace suits you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Lama Temple and Summer Palace

• Take taxi to Lama Temple
• Explore Lama Temple buildings
• Take taxi to Summer Palace
• Explore Summer Palace grounds
• Take taxi back to hotel

The Experience

The moment you scan your QR code at the Lama Temple gate, you're standing in front of five main halls arranged along a north-south axis, their roofs catching the morning light. This is one of China's most important preserved temples, and you move through it on your own schedule — no group waiting, no commentary you didn't ask for. The five buildings open onto each other, with smaller halls branching off to the sides, and the whole thing unfolds without pressure. You can spend twenty minutes or two hours; it's yours.

After the temple, you head to the Summer Palace — and this is where the scale shifts. It's the largest imperial garden in China, built as a royal retreat and still holding the richest collection of landscaped grounds and compact buildings from that era. The lake dominates the space, with walkways and pavilions threading around it, and because you're moving at your own pace, you can linger on a bridge or skip the crowded spots entirely. A taxi gets you there from the Lama Temple; the journey takes about thirty minutes depending on traffic.

The tickets come as a QR code from the local supplier, which you scan at each entrance — no paper, no waiting in a separate line. Your passport details are registered when you book, so bring your valid passport on the day. Dress is smart casual, and while public transport runs nearby if you prefer it to taxis, most visitors find the taxi route simpler for moving between the two sites. You return to your hotel the same way, on your own time.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to the Lama Temple and Summer Palace.
• QR code tickets issued by the local supplier.
• booking service charge. You arrange your own transport by taxi or public transit between sites and to your hotel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ws China Trips

Is this one for you?Right for independent travelers who want to see both landmarks without a guide or group schedule, and who are comfortable navigating Beijing's taxi system or public transport between sites.

Top questions

Do I need a guide, or can I explore on my own?

This is self-guided. You receive QR code tickets, scan them at each entrance, and explore both sites at your own pace with no tour group or guide included.

What's included in the ticket price?

Entrance fees to both the Lama Temple and Summer Palace, plus the booking service charge. Transport between sites and your hotel is your responsibility.

How do I get between the two sites?

Taxi is the most common option and takes about thirty minutes. Public transportation is available nearby if you prefer it.

What do I need to bring on the day?

A valid passport — your passport details are registered at booking and required for entry.

Can I visit both sites in one day?

Yes. Most visitors do the Lama Temple in the morning and the Summer Palace in the afternoon, though the timing is entirely up to you.

What time should I arrive?

There's no fixed start time. You choose when to visit each site based on your schedule and the opening hours of each attraction.