Summer Palace Private Tour with Public Transport&Optional Extras
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Summer Palace Private Tour with Public Transport&Optional Extras
Next available dates
Wed
4 Mar
Thu
5 Mar
Fri
6 Mar
Bestseller
6 Hour Summer Palace+City Site
Duration: 4 hours
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
6 Hour Summer Palace+City Site
Pickup included
Pickup included
From
NZD 329
4 Hour Summer Palace Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
4 Hour Summer Palace Tour: Choose this option to visit Summer Palace by metro with a guide for 4 hours.
Pickup included
Pickup included
From
NZD 255
Highlights
Beijing’s public transport is wonderfully convenient, and getting around by bus or metro is one of the fastest, most authentic ways to experience the city. It’s your chance to dive into local daily life—rub shoulders with Beijingers and feel what a real Beijing commute is like.
This fully customizable private tour comes with two flexible duration options to suit your pace: opt for the 4-hour itinerary to focus exclusively on the breathtaking Summer Palace, where you can wander its imperial halls, stroll along the iconic Long Corridor, and take in the serene beauty of Kunming Lake at a leisurely pace. Or upgrade to the 6-hour experience, which pairs the Summer Palace with additional Beijing highlights tailored to your preferences—simply chat with your guide to craft a personalized route that checks off your must-see spots.
Either way, you’ll blend everyday Beijing charm with imperial garden grandeur for an immersive, unforgettable journey beyond standard sightseeing.
Itinerary
Beijing(Pass by)
Admission Ticket FreeChoose from two flexible private tour packages tailored to your Beijing itinerary goals: 4-hour package: Focus solely on the magnificent Summer Palace, with no rush to explore its lakes, palaces and iconic Long Corridor. 6-hour package: Combine the Summer Palace with other top Beijing attractions of your choice—options include the Temple of Heaven (closed on Mondays), the Forbidden City (bookings required 7 days in advance—please inform us if you wish to visit), Lama Temple, Houhai Lake, traditional hutongs, local food tours or market visits. Just discuss your preferences with your guide to craft your ideal day. Select the package that best fits your travel needs!Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedDepending on the start time selected at checkout, meet your guide outside of your hotel lobby at your preferred time. From here, you’ll make your way to the nearest metro station for the short and easy journey to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you arrive at the Summer Palace—a masterpiece of Chinese imperial gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—follow your guide to enter through its East Gate. Inside, you will explore a series of its most iconic and culturally significant buildings, each holding a piece of history: the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (once the imperial throne hall for handling state affairs), the winding Long Corridor (adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings depicting historical stories and natural landscapes), the elegant Marble Boat (a unique stone structure symbolizing imperial stability), and the serene Hall of Happiness and Longevity (a former residence for empresses).Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
20 minsAdmission Ticket IncludedOnce you arrive at the Summer Palace—a masterpiece of Chinese imperial gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—follow your guide to enter through its East Gate. Inside, you will explore a series of its most iconic and culturally significant buildings, each holding a piece of history: the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (once the imperial throne hall for handling state affairs), the winding Long Corridor (adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings depicting historical stories and natural landscapes), the elegant Marble Boat (a unique stone structure symbolizing imperial stability), and the serene Hall of Happiness and Longevity (a former residence for empresses).Hall of Happiness and Longevity
20 minsAdmission Ticket IncludedAs you step into this elegant complex, your guide will walk you through the layout of its accompanying courtyard, explaining its practical functions in imperial life (such as serving as a quiet resting area or a space for receiving close attendants) while sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical stories behind the hall. These tales will bring to life the daily moments of the imperial court, letting you better understand the significance of this space and the role it played in the empress dowager’s time at the Summer Palace.Long Corridor at the Summer Palace(Pass by)
Admission Ticket FreeAfter visit few other courtyards, then stroll along the longest corridor in the world with your guide, enjoy amazing view while walking, and learn different legendary stories about the paintings on the roof.Kunming Lake(Pass by)
Admission Ticket FreeAs you stroll along, your eyes will be drawn to the stunning view of Kunming Lake unfolding beside you—its calm waters glistening under the sun, with distant hills forming a soft backdrop and small boats gliding gently across the surface. Amid this serene scenery, your guide will share insights into the key elements that defined a perfect Chinese garden in ancient times: how the lake (representing "water") harmonizes with the surrounding pavilions and corridors (representing "architecture"), how the distant hills and nearby plants (representing "nature") create layers of scenery, and how every twist and turn of the path is designed to "unfold a new view"—all coming together to achieve the ancient pursuit of "blending man-made beauty with natural charm," a core philosophy of traditional Chinese landscape gardening.Qingyan Stone Boat(Pass by)
Admission Ticket FreeAt the end of the Long Corridor, your eyes will be drawn to the famous Marble Boat—a classic ornamental structure in traditional Chinese landscaping that sits gracefully by the shore of Kunming Lake. Unlike ordinary boats, this "boat" is entirely made of white marble, with delicate carvings of wave patterns on its hull, giving it the illusion of gliding on the water even as it stays firmly anchored. Take a moment to snap photos of this unique landmark, then listen as your guide reveals its deep meaning: in ancient times, emperors built this stone boat to symbolize "eternal stability"—a wish that their rule, like the unshakable marble vessel, would stand firm against the tides of time, making it not just a decorative piece, but a carrier of imperial ideals.Tower of Buddhist Incense(Summer Palace)
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedThen, you’ll head to the Summer Palace’s central area to visit the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. Perched on Longevity Hill’s central axis and once reserved for imperial celebrations, this grand hall features intricate carved beams and painted rafters that mirror the solemn grandeur of those royal events. From here, you can also admire the towering Tower of Buddhist Incense and nearby Buddhist buildings, where traditional architecture blends seamlessly with the hills and greenery. Once your guided exploration of the Summer Palace wraps up, your next steps depend on the package you’ve chosen: if you’re on the 4-hour tour, feel free to linger and discover more of the palace’s hidden gems, including its fascinating museums and lesser-known spots at your own pace. For those on the 6-hour itinerary, simply consult your guide to decide on your next stop—whether it’s another iconic Beijing attraction, a cozy local eatery, or a bustling market, we’ll tailor the rest of your day to your preferences
What's included
INCLUDED
Private Walking Tour
Metro Costs
Hotel pick up(by public transportation)
English speaking tour guide
Entrance fee
NOT INCLUDED
Additional Entrance fees (inner sites of major attractions)
Food and drinks
Hotel drop-off (public transport back to hotel)
Gratuities
Customer reviews
Additional information
Must Know
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Good To Know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Note that the museums inside the Summer Palace are closed on Mondays, but the gardens remain open for your visit.
Location
Address
No.19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100080
Provider
Unique Beijing Tours
From
NZD 255
or use 19,176 KrisFlyer miles
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