R
Was a special time
Second tour with Linda Knows all the secrets to get around and her knowledge of the history was enlightening.. her personal touch made it even more special. Now I have a friend in Beijing can’t wait to come back
Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace
At a glance
- Duration
- 3–4 hours
- Price from
- $80 / person
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 1 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Linda's Guide & Driver Service
Description
The Summer Palace is located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing. It was first built in 1750 and covers an area of approximately 290 hectares. The Summer Palace is one of the largest and best-preserved imperial gardens in China and is also a world-famous imperial garden, possessing extremely high artistic, cultural and historical value. This place was once a summer resort for the emperors and empresses of the Qing Dynasty and is rich in historical and cultural connotations. Most of the buildings and landscapes in the park have unique historical backgrounds and cultural significance. The Summer Palace can be divided into the Kunming Lake Scenic Area, the living area for emperors and empresses, and the Political Activity area. Under the guidance of a professional tour guide, you will experience the unique charm and profound history of the imperial garden.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 21 times a day, 6:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Next available
- Sat, Oct 10
- Adult (ages 12+)
- $80
- Child (ages 5–11)
- $40
- Infant (ages 0–4)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $140.
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 2:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:25 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kunming Lake
Kunming Lake covers about three quarters of the total area of the Summer Palace. There are six Bridges on the west embankment in the lake, which are built in imitation of West Lake in Hangzhou. The seventeen-arch bridge connects the east embankment and the South Lake Island. The bridge railings are carved with 544 stone lions of various shapes, forming a beautiful landscape painting together with the surrounding buildings. You can choose to explore Kunming Lake on foot or by boat.
Seventeen Arches Bridge
The Seventeen-Arch Bridge was first built in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1750). It connects the east embankment in the east and the South Lake Island in the west, with a total length of over 150 meters. It is the longest bridge still existing in Chinese imperial gardens and is named for its seventeen arches. There are 544 stone lions of various shapes carved on the bridgehead and the balustrade balusters. At both ends of the balustrade, there are four stone-carved strange beasts.
Qingyan Stone Boat
The Qingyan stone boat in the Summer Palace, also known as the Marble Stone Boat or the Qingyan Boat, is a famous water-based structure within the Summer Palace.
Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
The Long corridor is 728 meters long and has 273 sections. There are over 14,000 colorful paintings of figures, landscapes, flowers and birds on the beams and lintels. The content is rich and there is no repetition. It is the longest painted corridor in the world and also the holder of the Guinness World Record.
Tower of Buddhist Incense(Summer Palace)
The Tower of Buddhist Incense is a landmark building in the Summer Palace. It is located on the mountainside of Longevity Hill, with three floors and four eaves on eight sides, standing 36 meters high. It is supported by eight large iron pear wood pillars that reach the top. It was once an important place for the royal family to pay homage to Buddha.
Hall of Happiness and Longevity
The Hall of Happiness and Longevity was first built in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1750). It was constructed by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate the 60th birthday of his mother, Empress Xiaosheng Xian. It was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign (1860), rebuilt in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign (1886), and renovated in the 17th year of the Guangxu reign (1891). Later, it became the bedroom of Empress Dowager Cixi.
Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity is the main building of the imperial court area in the Summer Palace. It was the place where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, during their stay in the palace, presided over state affairs, received congratulations and received foreign envoys.
What's included
Included
Professional Tourguide
DiDi Taxi Fee or Subway fee
Summer Palace Entrance Ticket
Not included
Boat Fee
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
your tour guide will hold your name and wait for you at your hotel lobby
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
1 reviews
How it compares in Beijing
- Starting price $80 is 49% above the typical $54 for tours of similar length in Beijing
Excurgo comparison of 3,619 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Instant Confirmation - You will receive a confirmation email immediately after booking successful
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes
- This is a private tour, without other people join you
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace take?
Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace cost?
Prices start at $80 per person for this Beijing experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $140. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 21 departures a day between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
How much does Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace cost for children?
Children aged 5–11 pay from $40, adults from $80. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. your tour guide will hold your name and wait for you at your hotel lobby Pickup points include Youbo Member Selected Hotel, Yuanchang Hotel.
What languages is Beijing Half Day Private Tour to Summer palace offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(1)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$80
5.0(1) Free cancellation