China · SUMMER PALACE TOURS

The 15 Best Summer Palace Tours in Beijing

58 tours  ·  from $5 a head

A lake, a long painted corridor and a marble boat that never sailed, an hour out of the centre. These 15 compare plain entry with the guided walks, and show which ones leave time for Mutianyu in the same day.

Beijing: The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket - Entering the Temple of Heaven by QR code
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Beijing: The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket

1.The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,286 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $7Our pick

Choose entry to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace, with an optional package ticket. Your supplier sends the usable QR code by email or WhatsApp, often before the visit. Explore independently, or select a guided option if available. Allow 2 to 8 hours, bring your passport details, and check exactly which gates and inner sights your ticket covers.

“Very good. It was a long tour but Joe made it great with lots of insights about the places and the history.”

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Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options - Meeting at Dongzhimen and riding out
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Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

2.Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,272 reviews · from $20Top rated

Mubus takes you from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu on a direct bus with an English, Spanish, or Russian-speaking guide, depending on your booking. You get the wall entrance fee, internal shuttle, free tea and snacks, and 4 to 5 hours to explore. Optional packages may add cable cars, a toboggan, buffet lunch, or a Summer Palace visit.

“The experience was amazing, walking on the great wall of China was surreal. The lunch they provide with the tour was also delicious. Thank you very much Mike for an incredible tour!”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour - Meeting at Hepingxiqiao and heading north
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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour

3.Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,004 reviews · from $29

Spend about four hours at Mutianyu Great Wall, then three hours touring the Summer Palace with an English-speaking guide. The $29 bus tour includes transport and entry tickets, while cable cars, the toboggan, and the palace boat cost extra. Guides such as Yoyo, Lee, Jackie, and Evelyn are praised for clear explanations and lively help.

“The Forbidden City is a must-see in Beijing. Our guide, Andy, was well-organized and gave us a great overview of the history, along with some interesting anecdotes about the palace. He was also really accommodating. I’d recommend this tour if you’re looking for a well-guided and smooth experience !”

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Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options - Mutianyu Great Wall: the morning centerpiece
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Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options

4.Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 816 reviews · from $124

Spend 8 to 9 hours with a guide such as Sherry, Lucy, Aurora, or Cindy at Beijing’s Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace. Ride a cable car or ski lift, hike the Wall, enjoy lunch, and explore imperial halls, the Long Corridor, and Marble Boat by private vehicle.

“Wonderful, so well planned it made me very comfortable! Amy was so knowledgeable about our sights and I learned so much!!!!”

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Beijing: Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour - What the palace visit feels like
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Beijing: Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour

5.Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 810 reviews · 3 hours - 1 day · from $12

Choose a simple Summer Palace entry ticket, a complete ticket with extra halls and museums, or a scenic boat package from Ziyu Bay Pier. You can also book group and private tours with English-speaking guides such as Joy, Gary, Yang, or Yan. Add the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, pandas, or a tea ceremony for a longer Beijing day.

“Brilliant experience with our group and Guide Jason Lee who was brilliant as bringing history to life!”

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Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven - Starting early from your Beijing hotel
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Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

6.Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 610 reviews · from $99

This 9-hour Beijing tour links Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace with hotel pickup, transport, entry fees, and a Chinese lunch. Guides such as Jenny, Lee, Mary, Murphy, and Michael have received strong praise for clear explanations and good group care. Expect lots of walking, crowds, and possible shopping stops.

“The day was planned extremely well. Jenny took care of small details meticulously and ensured everyone was enjoying and getting best experience. We covered all important attractions in Beijing in one day. We would highly recommend her tour to all friends and family.”

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Beijing: Mutianyu & Summer Palace Tour–Group/Private Options - The early ride to Mutianyu
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Beijing: Mutianyu & Summer Palace Tour–Group/Private Options

7.Mutianyu & Summer Palace Tour–Group/Private Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 423 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $131

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace in one 8 to 9 hour day. Choose a small group capped at eight people or a private car and guide. Expect hotel pickup, cable car access, lunch, English guidance, and useful crowd-avoidance advice from guides such as Susan, Lily, Cindy, and Edward.

“I loved it. Everthing was Amazing. Thank my guide Cindy, she was an excellent guide and person. We supported to me and explained very nice regard Chinesse culture.”

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Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour - A full day built around Beijing’s imperial sights
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Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour

8.Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 377 reviews · from $56

Spend about eight hours exploring three major Beijing sights with an English-speaking guide, then sit down to Peking Duck lunch. Guides such as Jay, Jimmy, Sean, Yan, and Ellie are praised for clear explanations and helpful local advice. Expect long walks, a group of up to 35, and a final stop at the Summer Palace rather than a downtown drop-off.

“We did this tour on 1.5 and even if it was very crowded, our guide Philip could explain us all the important information regarding the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace!”

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Temple Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Bus Tour - Temple of Heaven: imperial ritual on a grand scale
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Temple Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Bus Tour

9.Temple Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 319 reviews · from $58

Spend a full day exploring Beijing with an English-speaking guide such as Joy, Jimmy, Shannon, or Andy. See the Temple of Heaven, Yonghe Lama Temple, old hutong lanes, and Summer Palace, with an optional waterway cruise. Expect a busy schedule, long walks, shared bus transport, and a finish near the Bird’s Nest.

“Very pleasant experience! The tour guide was very professional and she was able to mantain the attention of the whole group with interesting details on the visited sites. Highly recommended!”

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Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Small-Group Tour with Lunch - Meeting at Dongzhimen at 8:30 am
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Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Small-Group Tour with Lunch

10.Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Small-Group Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · from $186

Meet your English-speaking guide at Dongzhimen and visit the Summer Palace before heading to Mutianyu. You get lunch, transport, entrance tickets, and about three hours on the wall. Guides such as Emma, Li, and May have helped visitors with history, routes, photos, and chairlift or toboggan choices. The group is limited to 14 people.

“Excellent experience!!! Lee, the guide, was wonderful!!! She told everything about the histori and the most important thing in Beijing. Small group was the best.”

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Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Tours - Temple of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
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Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Tours

11.Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Hutong Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews · from $99

Spend 10 to 11 hours exploring Beijing with an English-speaking guide and a group of about 12. Visit the Temple of Heaven, ride a rickshaw through hutong lanes, see Lama Temple, and walk the Summer Palace. Guides such as Michael, Lucy, and Helen have been praised for clear English, history, humor, and practical help.

“We covered a lot of ground and saw lots of things on this tour but it didn't feel rushed.”

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Summer Palace Ticket - The main grounds and the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
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Summer Palace Ticket

12.Summer Palace Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · from $10

This self-guided Summer Palace ticket gives you entry to the main grounds, Deheyuan Opera House, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense. You enter through the East Gate, use QR codes sent by Li via WhatsApp, and follow a detailed route with maps and tips. There is no transport or guide, so you must reach the palace and explore independently.

“Highly recommended. Great customer service! Give me clear and detailed instructions. Enter Summer Palace with QR. so easy & efficient!! I loved Summer Palace! A must do when you are in Beijing. UNESCO World heritage. Stunning!! Thanks so much Ms Li!”

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Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace - Tiananmen Square and the reality of security checks
Forbidden City Tours, Full-Day, Private, Summer Palace Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace

13.Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 272 reviews · from $130

Spend about eight hours with a private guide visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Summer Palace. Choose private transport or the subway, enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, and receive hotel pickup and drop-off. Guides such as May, Peter, Jenny, and James are praised for clear history, flexible pacing, and help with crowded entrances.

“Great communication before the tour started. Driver and guide showed up on time and were professional, friendly, and helpful. If you want to make your trip stress free, book this tour.”

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Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest - Lunch and the shape of the midday stop
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Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest

14.Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · from $89

Spend about nine hours exploring Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace with an English-speaking guide and no more than eight other people. Early pickup helps avoid the worst crowds. Expect two hours on the wall, Chinese lunch, a drive past the Bird Nest, and hotel pickup and drop-off inside Beijing’s second ring road. Guides may include Keith, Suzi, Jasmine, or Pete.

“Keith was great: his insights, the mix of interesting facts and historical data... Also everything was on time and the van was super comfy.”

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Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Private Day Trip with Lunch - Choosing between the cable car and chair lift
1-Day Tours, Great Wall Tours, Lunch Experiences, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Private, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Private Day Trip with Lunch

15.Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Private Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 209 reviews · from $185

Spend 8 to 9 hours with a private guide and driver visiting Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace. You get hotel pickup, lunch, entrance fees, cable car or chair lift access, and a toboggan ride down. Guides such as Kelly, Violet, and Pietro have been praised for clear explanations and smooth timing.

“Great! In addition to the wall and summer palace, the lunch spot was the best food I had the entire trip.”

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New in Summer Palace Tours

★ 4.8Mutianyu Wall, Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace Day TourFrom $2234 reviews
★ 4.7Tiananmen&Forbidden City&summer palace etc(optional)From $442 reviews
★ 4.6Beijing：Summer Palace & Tea or Calligraphy Experience TourFrom $1624 reviews
★ 4.8Beijing：Forbidden City Tour—Temple, Summer Palace&Great WallFrom $486 reviews
★ 4.1Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace with entry ticketsFrom $1212 reviews
★ 4.1Beijing Summer Palace Ticket Reservation And Optional ItemsFrom $133 reviews
★ 5.0Summer Palace, Sacred Road&Ming Tombs Private TourFrom $1178 reviews
★ 4.8Summer Palace Highlight Walking TourFrom $4125 reviews
★ 3.6Summer Palace Ticket; fast and smoothFrom $738 reviews
★ 3.3Summer Palace Entry TicketFrom $183 reviews
★ 4.8Summer Palace 3 Hours Guided Tour with Entry TicketFrom $334 reviews
★ 4.7Summer Palace Entrance(combo/tour opt)From $286 reviews
★ 5.0Beijing Private Tour: Summer Palace, Panda House and OptionsFrom $5221 reviews
★ 4.0Old Summer Palace Ruins Park Admission TicketFrom $84 reviews
★ 5.0Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace All Inclusive TourFrom $14914 reviews

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