The best time for the Summer Palace in short
Most of the Summer Palace is an outdoor walk along a lake and over a hill, so the weather decides a lot. April, May, September and October are the milder months for a long walk. June to August brings heat, and July and August bring most of the rain. Winter is cold and dry, with a short window for ice activities on the lake.
There is no single best month for every visitor. Lotus lovers go in early summer, photographers like the autumn light, and some travellers come in winter for the quiet. The sections below sort the choice by season. The opening times for each season are on the opening hours page.
Weather by month
Long-term monthly averages for Beijing, 1961–1990.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.6 °C | −9.4 °C | 3 mm |
| February | 4.0 °C | −6.9 °C | 6 mm |
| March | 11.3 °C | −0.6 °C | 9 mm |
| April | 19.9 °C | 7.2 °C | 26 mm |
| May | 26.4 °C | 13.2 °C | 29 mm |
| June | 30.3 °C | 18.2 °C | 71 mm |
| July | 30.8 °C | 21.6 °C | 176 mm |
| August | 29.5 °C | 20.4 °C | 182 mm |
| September | 25.8 °C | 14.2 °C | 49 mm |
| October | 19.0 °C | 7.3 °C | 19 mm |
| November | 10.1 °C | −0.4 °C | 6 mm |
| December | 3.3 °C | −6.9 °C | 2 mm |
The figures are averages for the city station, not measurements inside the park, and they show typical conditions, not a forecast for your dates.
Summer Palace tours through the year
Guided and private Summer Palace trips from Beijing, with live prices and availability for your dates.
Season by season
What to expect and what to plan around.
Spring: April and May
Highs rise from about 20 °C in April to 26 °C in May, with little rain. The main park hours for the season from 1 April are 06:00 to 20:00. The boat season begins around mid-March; in 2026 it started on 14 March. Spring is a good time for the full walk along the Long Corridor and up the hill.
Long Corridor guide →Summer: June to August
It is hot, with highs around 30 °C, and July and August bring heavy rain. Bring water, a hat and a light rain layer. Early morning is the cooler time, and the park opens at 06:00. Boats pause in strong rain, strong wind or severe weather.
Kunming Lake and boats →Autumn: September and October
Highs fall from about 26 °C to 19 °C, and rain drops sharply after August. It is the other comfortable season for walking the whole park. October includes the National Day holiday, so expect crowds in the first week.
Tower of Buddhist Incense →Winter: November to March
The park hours are shorter, from 06:30 to 19:00, and the last entry is at 18:00. Entry costs less in winter. Cold and dry weather is normal. The inner areas such as the tower and Suzhou Street open at 08:30 and close at 17:00.
Ticket prices →Lotus, autumn colour and winter ice
Seasonal sights and how far to rely on them.
Lotus in early summer
In 2026 the first lotus were already in bloom by the end of June. The area at Yanshangzhai in the Farming and Weaving zone was at its peak then, and the West Dyke was expected to reach full bloom in early July. Plan for late June to July. Flowers can last into August, but an end date cannot be promised.
Autumn
September and October bring clearer, cooler days. In some years seasonal displays such as osmanthus have lined the Long Corridor and the East Dyke, with no fixed annual dates. Look at the notices at the gate.
Winter ice on the lake
In 2026 ice activities on Kunming Lake ran from mid-January to early February, from 08:30 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30. Offers included single and double ice sleds and ice bikes, with access at the Bronze Ox, Yulantang, Paiyun Hall and the West Dyke. The season depends on the weather and the thickness of the ice, and it is not a fixed yearly programme, so check before a winter trip. Never step onto ice in areas that are not open.
December light on the bridge
Around the winter solstice the setting sun shines into the arches of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. It is a seasonal photo motif for clear days, not a daily event.
Holidays, weekends and boats
When the park is busiest.
Public holidays
In 2026 the May Day holiday ran from 1 to 5 May, the Mid-Autumn holiday from 25 to 27 September and the National Day holiday from 1 to 7 October. The dates change each year, so check the holiday calendar for your year.
Weekends
Weekends and holidays mean longer waits at the boat piers. A quiet weekday is the better choice for boats and for the paid inner areas.
Mondays
The tower, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the museum and Suzhou Street are closed on Mondays, apart from some public holidays. The park itself is open.
Suzhou Street →Boat season
Boats run from roughly mid-March to mid-November. Operation stops in wind from force 4, heavy rain or severe weather, and the notices at the piers show the current status.
Best time for the Summer Palace: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the Summer Palace?
April, May, September and October are the milder months for walking. If you want the lotus, aim for late June to July. Winter suits you if you prefer cold and quiet.
When do the lotus bloom?
In 2026 they were in bloom by the end of June, with the West Dyke due in full bloom in early July. Plan for late June to July. The end of the bloom in August varies.
Is the lake frozen in winter?
Ice activities ran from mid-January to early February in 2026, depending on the weather and the ice. They are not a fixed programme, so check before you travel and stay off ice that is not open.
When is the Summer Palace most crowded?
On weekends and public holidays, especially the first week of October. Boat piers have the longest waits. Go on a weekday if you can.
Does it rain a lot in summer?
July and August are the wettest months, with 176 mm and 182 mm on average. Boats stop in heavy rain, so bring a rain layer and be ready to change your plan.
Are the boats running all year?
No. The boat season runs from roughly mid-March to mid-November. In 2026 it began on 14 March.