Unfortunately, if you're traveling with a tour group, you will not see much or go far. You'll only see one section of the palace . You'll need at least a whole day to see everything. Get here early!

Make sure to plan your visit since all temples inside close their doors at 5 pm. However, you can walk around til 8 pm. There are beautiful spots to watch the sunset . Don’t buy the map! Not worth it.

It is SO big. Definitely try the paddle boats and instead of walking to each corner of the palace , take the boats! It's 15 yuan for one way. The further corners are quieter with less people

Really interesting place. Get audio guide (multiple languages support) at north gate entrance. If you walk the lake , palace , and park you spend 2-4 hrs here easily

Make time for at least 3 hours to explore the area and feel bewildered by the fact that this massive area was once just for royalty. It’s the most beautiful place I went to in Beijing.

Here you can climb Longevity Hill (must buy ticket) and have a great view of Summer Palace and Kunming Lake . You can also visit marble boat or watch seniors singing and playing traditional songs.

Beautiful all man made landscape (yes the lake and the mountains too). Spend at least half day here. Make sure you take the boat from Suzhou Village ! Food are a bit expensive though!

Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to stay for at least half of the day. There will be a lot of walking, a lot of stair climbing, but it will be worth it. A must see for anyone visiting Beijing.

Must see !!! The place, garden and palace everything there will make you simply breathless

Beautiful park one of the best in Beijing. You can really spend the whole day there and yet not see everything. Bring some food and have a picnic . Amazing scenery.

Artificial lake looks like a small sea, and all these big hills are made of excavated ground. Forethought and accuracy of medieval chinese landscape design could impress anyone. Come for a whole day .

A gigantic park in the hearth of Beijing: definitely worth a visit! You can rent a boat or jus walk around the area.

Wouw.. It's a wonder of Emperor Qianlong. The scenery is. gorgious, m'over in sunset . W' BrightRed&GoldPalace, TheTemples are set againts an exotic stunning view of KunmingLake&TheForest surrounding

This is a place where you can breathe the culture of China. Every detail, every ruin, every pedestrian makes the summer palace the very MUST of Beijing. Hope I could return someday.

Be sure to note the art work on the extensive corridor. Also note how some were defaced as part of the cultural revolution under Mao Zedong.

Lovely site and a must see in Beijing. My tip: Don’t buy the full ticket for 60RMB. 30RMB is enough.

Marvel at a masterpiece of Chinese landscape and design, be astonished by Empress Cixi's Boat and admire the aesthetics of the palaces , temples , bridges and halls. Read more

SUMMER PLACE AN IMPERIAL GARDEN - World Heritage UNESCO The Summer Palace in Beijing first built in 1750, is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Read more

Beautiful Palace ! Visit during the morning hours ????

It gets really Crowded on weekends. Try to go here early in the morning or sometime in the afternoon. You can get some really awesome candid shots here with a great view . Spring looks lovely here.

Very nice Chinese palace . One of the best historical place in Beijing. The view from the lake is awesome in the morning !

The Palace is most often associated with the Empress Dowager Cixi, who resided here for much of the year. Compared with Forbidden City , the Summer Palace is more for pleasure and relaxation. Read more

Entrance fee gets you into grounds and can walk around, climb the stairs/hills, etc... also portions that have additional cost to enter/see

Winter can also be a good season to visit the Summer Palace , which will be all covered in white and has a stunning look. You can also skate on the ice of the Kunming Lake when it's extremely cold. Read more

elegnant setting; ambiance is excellent: you feel like the royalty with fine cuisine ; service may improve in terms language but is genuine, not-exaggerated and swift...

Of course it's busy, welcome to China, but the grounds of this palace are stunning. Head up the hill for the best views .

Beautiful place, great view and cozy palace . Worth to visit

Magnificent sites, lake , go to the main incense temple . The view is stunning. One of my favorite places in Beijing

Grab some foods at the entry and head out for a hike ! Plenty of space to get lost and picnic ! Also, some amazing old trails and bridges to explore.

Drop by beautiful and nearby Aman Resort for an afternoon tea . Come on a cool autumn day and smell the history in the air. Read more

The Summer Palace ia so beautiful in early winter

I dont agree with people's comments that this is the best place to visit while ur in beijing.If youre a lover of history; great wall and forbidden city should be enough to make u both happy and tired.

Maybe the nicest park I've visited in my life. Use the lake boats strategically to get around.

If its busy and you're struggling to get in, use one if the many side entrances avoiding the main gate. We used the north entrance and didn't have to queue at all, even on National Day!

The best place to visit in beijing! Amazing time spent here!

Best place for a date. Stroll around the park , go on one of the little boats and enjoy the 1kuai popsicles sold throughout the park .

Best place to get souvenirs and not having to bargain is "Beijing Gifts " store that's inside.

Didint had a chance to go up to a tower, that day they closed for Obamas wife???? but still, park is beautiful!

Definitely worth a visit, try to plan for a whole day to see the palace !

Take a walk around the lake and see the views . Skip the ferry , it’s expensive considering how short the trip is.

Unfortunately in winter u haven't a chance to use boats n go around the lake but great view of Beijing on top of it.

Calm place outside the inner city bussle. Don't go on a Chinese hholiday though.

Famous historic site & tourist spot in Beijing

Beautiful walk around the lake

Stunning. Architecture , the detailing of the buildings and so on.. everything beyond perfection.

Excellent beautiful place to do massive walking and sightseeing... Enjoyed it tremendously and will return in the Spring of 2011, since they almost closed the gates on us... ;>)))

The sunshine fall into the water is pretty beautiful in the evening.

One of the best spot in beijing to escape from the noise.

1) it's a very big park , plan your route carefully in advance; 2) best to visit at sunset or in snow

Hundreds of years of architecture . Take your time appreciating the views .