The Tower of Buddhist Incense at a glance
The Tower of Buddhist Incense, called Foxiangge in Chinese, is the landmark building of Longevity Hill. It has an octagonal plan, three storeys and four tiers of eaves. The building is 36.44 metres high and stands on a stone terrace of 20 metres.
The first tower was built under the Qianlong Emperor. It was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt under the Guangxu Emperor on the original model. Inside stands a gilded bronze figure of Guanyin from the Ming period, and iron-wood columns carry the structure.
The tower is one of the paid areas inside the park. You need the park ticket and a separate add-on ticket, or the Through Ticket. This site is an independent guide and has no link to the park administration.
Tickets and opening hours for the tower
2026 prices and times. The park opens earlier than the tower, so the park hours are not the tower hours.
| 1 April to 31 October | 1 November to 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| Park ticket | CNY 30 | CNY 20 |
| Tower add-on ticket | CNY 10 | CNY 10 |
| Through Ticket (park and paid areas) | CNY 60 | CNY 50 |
| Tower opens | 08:00 | 08:30 |
| Last entry | 17:30 | 16:30 |
| Tower closes | 18:00 | 17:00 |
The tower is closed on Mondays, apart from the public holidays the park names. The same goes for Deheyuan, the museum and Suzhou Street. If you plan to see the tower and at least two other paid areas, the Through Ticket is the simpler choice. Compare it with single tickets on the tickets page.
Summer Palace tours and tickets
Entry tickets, guided walks and day trips that include the Summer Palace, with live prices and availability.
Longevity Hill and the view
Longevity Hill, in Chinese Wanshoushan, forms the back of the garden, and Kunming Lake lies in front of it. About three quarters of the park is water, so the hill is the best place to see how the lake and the buildings fit together.
The tower stands high on the hill above the lake shore. Pines surround the building, and the climb to the terrace is the reward: you look out over the lake from the hill side.
For more imperial architecture in the city, the halls and roofs of the Beijing palace have a guide at forbidden-city.org.
How to fit the tower into your walk
The climb is the main thing to plan for.
Start at the lake
Walk the Long Corridor at the foot of the hill first and climb afterwards. That way the climb comes when you are ready for it, and the lake stays next to you on the way.
Long Corridor →Expect steps
The tower stands on a terrace on the slope, so the visit involves climbing. If you need a level route, ask at the gate before you buy the add-on ticket.
Mind the last entry
The last entry to the tower is 17:30 from April to October and 16:30 from November to March. Aim to arrive well before that, since the hill needs time.
Opening hours →Check the day
Monday is a closed day for the tower. Weekends and holidays are busier, so a weekday between Tuesday and Friday is easier.
Best time to visit →What you see at the foot of the tower
A hall stands below the tower, and the climb to the building starts from there. Inside the tower you see the gilded Guanyin from the Ming period and the iron-wood columns that carry the structure.
Private photos are fine. Filming for media or commercial purposes needs prior registration with the park. Smoking, open fire, kites and drones are not allowed, and the park treats the hill as a protected site, so do not write on or scratch buildings, rocks or trees.
Which ticket suits your visit
Three common cases for 2026.
Tower only
Park ticket plus the CNY 10 add-on: CNY 40 from April to October and CNY 30 from November to March.
Tower, Suzhou Street and Deheyuan
The add-ons come to CNY 25. With the park ticket that is CNY 55 in the main season and CNY 45 in the off season, so the Through Ticket at CNY 60 or CNY 50 is close in price and covers the museum as well.
Everything paid
Take the Through Ticket. The museum alone is CNY 20, so the single tickets add up to more.
Plan the rest of your visit
What else to pair with the tower.
The Long Corridor
728 metres of painted beams at the foot of the hill.
The Marble Boat
The stone boat at the western foot of the hill and its ferry.
Tickets and Through Ticket
Which paid areas the Through Ticket covers.
Opening hours
Park and paid areas by season, last entry and closed days.
Tower of Buddhist Incense: frequently asked questions
How tall is the Tower of Buddhist Incense?
The building is 36.44 metres high and stands on a stone terrace of 20 metres. It has three storeys and four tiers of eaves on an octagonal plan.
Do I need an extra ticket for the tower?
Yes. The park ticket does not include it. The tower is one of the paid areas and costs CNY 10 on top, or you take the Through Ticket at CNY 60 from April to October and CNY 50 from November to March.
When is the tower open?
From 08:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:30 from April to October, and from 08:30 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30 from November to March. It is closed on Mondays except on the named holidays.
What is inside the tower?
A gilded bronze figure of Guanyin from the Ming period. Iron-wood columns carry the structure.
Was the tower destroyed?
Yes, in 1860. It was rebuilt under the Guangxu Emperor on its original form.
Is the tower step-free?
The tower stands on a terrace on a slope, so plan for climbing. If you need a level route, ask at the gate before you pay for the add-on ticket.