Getting to the Summer Palace in short
The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is in Haidian District in north-west Beijing. The address is 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road. The easiest way there is the Metro. Line 4 stops at Xiyuan and at Beigongmen, and each station leads to a different gate. The gates are not interchangeable, so decide where you want to enter before you pick a station.
Everything below is practical: gates, fares, train times, taxi and parking. For tickets and passport booking, see the ticket guide.
Which gate and which stop
Match your transport to the gate you want.
| Gate | How to reach it |
|---|---|
| East Palace Gate (Donggongmen) | Xiyuan station, Lines 4 and 16 |
| North Palace Gate (Beigongmen) | Beigongmen station, Line 4 |
| West Gate | Xijiao Line |
| New Palace Gate (Xinjiangongmen) | Buses 74, 374 and 437 |
| South Ruyi Gate | Car park and taxi |
The New Palace Gate is the one that confuses most people. Its name sounds like a Metro stop. Plan to arrive by bus or taxi, or walk in from another gate. The guide counters for audio guides and personal guides are at the East, North and New Palace gates.
By Metro: fares and train times
Line 4 runs north to south through the city.
Beijing Metro fares depend on distance. There is no single Summer Palace fare, because it depends on where you start. The base fares in 2026:
- CNY 3 up to 6 km
- CNY 4 for 6 to 12 km
- CNY 5 for 12 to 22 km
- CNY 6 for 22 to 32 km
- CNY 1 more for each further 20 km
Airport trains are priced separately.
Riding time
The first northbound trains leave Xidan at 05:18, reach Xiyuan at 05:51 and Beigongmen at 05:54. That is about 33 minutes to Xiyuan and 36 minutes to Beigongmen from Xidan, for the train ride only. Add the walk to the station and the walk from the exit to the gate.
First and last trains from Beigongmen
The first southbound train leaves Beigongmen at 04:59. The last train that runs through to Tiangongyuan leaves at 22:36. A later train at 22:49 goes only as far as Gongyixiqiao. Read the destination display on the train.
Holidays and weather
The operator adjusts times on public holidays and in special weather. Check the timetable on the day if you plan a late return.
Our picks: tours with transport
A bus day tour and private tours with hotel transfer.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private day trip to both Summer Palaces
A private vehicle with hotel transfer, a licensed English-speaking guide, entry to the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace, an Imperial Canal boat ticket and a Peking duck lunch. Drinks and insurance are extra.
Check availability →
Early-morning or last-entry visit with transfer
Private hotel transfer and park entry. An English-speaking guide comes only with packages 2 and 3. Extra museums are not included.
Check availability →
Day tour by bus: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple and Summer Palace
An air-conditioned bus, a guide and the Temple of Heaven. The Summer Palace, Lama Temple and Peking duck lunch come only with the full-day option; the optional boat ride and tips are extra.
Check availability →Summer Palace tours with transport
Guided Summer Palace trips from Beijing, some with hotel pickup, with live prices and availability.
Taxi, Didi and parking
For the door-to-door option.
Taxi
The base tariff is CNY 13 for the first 3 km and CNY 2.30 per kilometre after that. Surcharges apply for waiting, long distances and night rides, plus CNY 1 for fuel. This is a tariff, not a price quote for the ride to the park. Show the driver the gate name in Chinese, not just the words Summer Palace.
Didi
The Didi app has an English interface and shows the fare for each vehicle class before you confirm. Set the gate you want as the destination, for example the East Palace Gate or the North Palace Gate. A pin on the park name alone can put you at a different entrance.
Parking
Car parks are available at the East, North, New Palace, South Ruyi and West gates. Fees and free spaces vary, and the Metro is the simpler option on weekends and holidays.
Buses
Buses 74, 374 and 437 serve the New Palace Gate. Check the stop name against your gate before you board.
Before you go and what comes next
Pages and sister guides for the rest of the day.
Summer Palace tickets
Park ticket, through ticket and booking with a passport.
Opening hours
Park and inner areas by season, with last entry.
The Old Summer Palace
The ruins park on the same Metro line.
If you are building a Beijing trip, the Forbidden City guide covers the palace in the city centre. For the Great Wall, see getting to Mutianyu from Beijing.
Getting to the Summer Palace: frequently asked questions
What is the best Metro station for the Summer Palace?
It depends on the gate. Xiyuan station (Lines 4 and 16) leads to the East Palace Gate. Beigongmen station (Line 4) leads to the North Palace Gate.
Is there a Metro station at the New Palace Gate?
Buses 74, 374 and 437 serve that gate, and a taxi to the gate is the other option. Do not plan on a Metro exit at the gate itself.
How much is the Metro to the Summer Palace?
It depends on your starting point. Fares in 2026 start at CNY 3 for up to 6 km and rise to CNY 6 for 22 to 32 km, with CNY 1 more for each further 20 km.
What time is the last train back from Beigongmen?
The last train that runs through to Tiangongyuan leaves at 22:36, and a later one at 22:49 goes only as far as Gongyixiqiao. Times can change on holidays, so check the display.
Should I take a taxi or Didi?
Either works if you give the gate as the destination. Didi shows the fare before you confirm and has an English interface.
Can I drive to the Summer Palace?
Car parks exist at the East, North, New Palace, South Ruyi and West gates. Fees and space vary, so the Metro is easier on busy days.