Located onthe western outskirts of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 10km (6mi) from the citycenter. The Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), threequarters of which is water. It is China’s leading classical garden, and enjoysa worldwide reputation. After the success of the 1911 Revolution, it was openedto the public, and in 1998, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sitelist. Once a playground for the imperial court evading the insufferable summerswelter of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace grounds, temples, gardens,pavilions, lakes, and corridors now abound with tour groups and locals lookingfor an escape from the city.
Originallyconstructed in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), it was expanded continually bysucceeding emperors. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Palace had become aluxurious royal garden providing aristocratic families with a venue forrelaxation and entertainment. Like most of the gardens of Beijing, it could notescape the ravages of the Anglo-French invasion of 1858 and was destroyed byfire. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it andchanged its name officially to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). She spent most of herlater years there, both handling state affairs and being entertained in thisleisure playground.Related tour packages
8 Days Essence of China Tour(Beijing-Xian-Shanghai) 
7 Days Beijing-Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai Tour
7 Days Beijing-Xian-Guilin Tour
Visitor's guide
Nov 1 – Mar 31: CNY 20 CNY50:Combination Ticket (including general entrance fee, Dehe Garden, Wenchang Hall, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Suzhou Street and Danning Hall) Apr 1 – Oct 31: CNY30 CNY60: Combination Ticket (including general entrance fee, Dehe Garden, Wenchang Hall, Tower of Buddhist Incen
Business hours:
07:00-17:00(Nov 1 – Mar 31); 06:30-18:00(Apr 1 – Oct 31)
The best tourist season:
Apr, May, Sept, Oct
Address:
Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 北京市海淀区颐和园路
Telephone:
Consulting:010-62881144
