Summer Palace Tickets Beijing: 3 QR access to gardens & pagoda

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (389 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration3h

Mobile ticketAccepted

Three separate areas in one visit, no internal ticket booth lines

You skip the ticket line with a pre-booked QR code and explore three separate palace areas at your own pace: the main grounds with the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense overlooking Kunming Lake. Plan for a full morning or afternoon—the site rewards slow walking, and the climb to the tower is part of the experience.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Summer Palace with 3 QR tickets

Arrive at Summer Palace East Gate
Scan main entrance ticket QR
Scan second ticket QR for Garden of Virtue and Harmony
Admire Kunming Lake and Long Corridor
Scan third ticket QR for Tower of Buddhist Incense
Explore freely at your own pace

The Experience

You arrive at the Summer Palace's east gate with your phone in hand. No queues, no cash fumbling, no hunting for the ticket booth—just scan your QR code and you're through. The main entrance ticket gets you onto the grounds, but if you've booked the 3 QR option, you've unlocked three separate areas that most visitors either miss or have to buy separately inside (and can't, if you didn't plan ahead). The Garden of Virtue and Harmony sits waiting, and so does the Tower of Buddhist Incense up on the hill. You move through them at your own rhythm, no guide, no group, no schedule.

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity anchors the palace's formal side—that's where you'll find the architecture and the history layered into every courtyard. But the real pull for most people is Kunming Lake itself. The Long Corridor runs along the water for what feels like forever, and the light changes as you walk, the reflections shift, the crowds thin out if you time it right. Photography happens naturally here; you're not stopping for a photo op, you're just walking and looking. The Tower of Buddhist Incense sits higher up, and the climb is real—it's not a casual stroll—but the view back down over the lake and the whole compound makes it worth the legs.

One hard rule: internal attractions close on Mondays, so book for Tuesday through Sunday if you want the full 3 QR experience. The supplier sends your QR codes via WhatsApp on the day you visit, so you'll need to provide your passport number and WhatsApp contact when you book. No local ID works for overseas travelers—they need the passport. You get to the Summer Palace however you want; public transport runs nearby, taxis are cheap, and the location is straightforward enough that getting lost takes effort. Once you're in, the palace is yours to navigate.

What’s included

Your package includes the Summer Palace main entrance ticket and, if you select the 3 QR option, tickets to the Garden of Virtue and Harmony and the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
You receive QR codes via WhatsApp on the day of visit.
Passport number and WhatsApp contact are required at booking.
No guide, transportation, or meals are included.

Good to know

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

Operated by Authentic China Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to explore the Summer Palace without waiting in lines and without a guide dictating the pace. The 3 QR option is worth it if you want the full palace experience—the internal attractions can't be bought on-site otherwise. Plan for a full morning or afternoon and bring comfortable shoes; the tower climb is steep but optional.