
Beijing/Summer Palace Top Hotel Picks
Select your travel dates to find the best prices and availability

Select your travel dates to find the best prices and availability
Don't miss the Summer Palace in Beijing, China's best-preserved imperial garden! Glide across Kunming Lake, marvel at the painted tales along the Long Corridor, and hike up Longevity Hill for breathtaking views. From the iconic Marble Boat to the elegant 17-Arch Bridge, every corner whispers Qing dynasty grandeur. Perfect for lakeside picnics and sunset selfies!

Nestled by the picturesque Weiming Lake in Beijing's tech hub Zhongguancun, this upscale business hotel blends modern comfort with traditional elegance. Just steps from subway stations and the Old Summer Palace, it offers spa facilities, lush 6,000㎡ courtyard gardens, and even a kids' pool for family fun. Business travelers love the executive lounge and meeting rooms, while night owls enjoy cocktails at the bar. With robot service and smoke-free floors, every detail is designed for a hassle-free stay. Perfect for both work and play!

Nestled at the foot of Fragrant Hill, this hotel is a hidden gem perfect for both business trips and family vacations! Just a 5-minute walk to Fragrant Hill Park, it offers stunning views all year round. The 510-square-meter pillar-less banquet hall is ideal for conferences and weddings, while the indoor heated pool and kids' pool ensure fun for everyone. Don’t miss the beer garden in the evening, where you can enjoy authentic Peking duck and local snacks—a truly memorable stay!

This hotel is located in the Zhongguancun business district in Beijing, surrounded by cultural attractions like the Beijing Planetarium and Stone Carving Art Museum, making it ideal for both business trips and vacations. The hotel’s theme revolves around reading and人文摄影, offering high-quality room amenities and attentive services to create a natural, serene, warm, and simple atmosphere. Enjoy the 24-hour reading space “Bamboo House” or savor a nutritious breakfast at the restaurant “Xiangzhao.” Additional facilities like the fitness center and self-service laundry ensure a comfortable stay. Whether for business or family travel, this hotel has everything you need for a relaxing experience.

Located in the heart of Zhongguancun, this hotel boasts prime location just steps from Century Golden Resources Mall. Its bold loft-style design creates a vibrant urban vibe. Don’t miss the 24/7 Re:fuel station for snacks, or the WXYZ® bar to mingle with fellow travelers. Rooms feature signature beds, spa showers, and plug-and-play hubs to charge all devices. Perfect for business travelers with meeting rooms, business center, and fitness facilities. Plus, free parking and metro access make it a convenient choice for all!

A serene getaway at the foot of Fragrant Hills! This hotel offers not only stunning night views of Jiuyan Bridge, but also fully-equipped facilities like meeting rooms, fitness center, and tennis courts—perfect for both business and leisure travelers. Ideally located near Fragrant Hills and Botanical Garden, with easy access to Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace. With 6 restaurants and versatile event spaces, it’s a great venue for weddings or corporate events. Unwind at the KTV or sip tea in the teahouse for a laid-back vibe. Complimentary parking and 24-hour front desk ensure a hassle-free stay!

This hotel is a perfect blend of convenience and comfort! Nestled in the heart of Zhongguancun, it's surrounded by top universities and just a stone's throw from the subway. Families will love the kids' playground and family cinema, while business travelers can make use of the multifunctional meeting rooms and smart rooms. Explore nearby attractions like the Summer Palace and Zizhuyuan Park for a taste of Beijing's culture. With 24-hour concierge service and great value, it's a must-stay!

Everything you need to know about Summer Palace
Shangri-La Beijing is a top choice, located just 1.5 km from Summer Palace, offering panoramic views of Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain from its rooms. The hotel blends traditional Chinese garden design with modern luxury, providing a serene and elegant stay. Guests can walk to the West Gate in under 10 minutes, and the hotel offers complimentary shuttle services to the park.
Another excellent option is Home Inn Premier (Beijing Summer Palace Branch), situated near the East Palace Gate, ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking convenience and comfort. Both hotels provide efficient transportation links, guided tour services, and on-site amenities that enhance the overall experience of visiting this imperial garden complex.
Many hotels near Summer Palace offer complimentary shuttle buses, such as Shangri-La Beijing, which runs regular shuttles to the West Gate, taking only 8 minutes. For guests staying at Home Inn Premier (Beijing Summer Palace Branch), walking to the East Palace Gate takes just 5 minutes—ideal for early morning visits.
Alternatively, Line 4 Metro’s "Beigongmen Station" is just 300 meters from the South Gate, accessible within 10 minutes from nearby hotels. With frequent departures, it's a cost-effective and efficient option. Using apps like Gaode Map or Baidu Maps helps track real-time routes and avoid delays. All these options ensure smooth access, maximizing your time inside the imperial garden.
Beyond exploring the historic buildings, try a kayaking tour on Kunming Lake departing from Nanhudi Pier, offering scenic views and a poetic glimpse into imperial life. Don’t miss the evening light show at the Garden, starting daily at 7:30 PM, when Wanshou Mountain and the Long Corridor glow with vibrant lighting, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Near the East Gate, Tingli Pavilion Restaurant offers a unique Peking Opera-themed banquet, where you can enjoy a full Manchu-Han Imperial Feast while watching live performances. For culture enthusiasts, join a Classical Landscape Architecture Workshop, taught by experts who guide participants in crafting miniature gardens using traditional techniques like "borrowed scenery" and "framed views." A perfect blend of education and creativity for families and art lovers.
Shangri-La Beijing is a top choice, just 1.5 km from the Summer Palace with direct access via a scenic walkway through the garden grounds. Its imperial-style courtyard design offers panoramic views of Kunming Lake and Wanshou Mountain, while select rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows for uninterrupted sightlines. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle service to the palace, ensuring seamless access for early morning or evening visits.
The Nan Gong Hot Spring Resort nearby is ideal for families, featuring indoor and outdoor hot springs, a children’s splash zone, and hands-on workshops like traditional Chinese calligraphy and palace-themed photo shoots. Along the Kunming Lake bike path—8 km long—families can rent bicycles and stop at iconic spots like the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and Wen Chang Pavilion, combining physical activity with cultural discovery in a serene lakeside setting.
Take the Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen Station, then transfer to Line 13 to Xiyuan Station—just a 10-minute walk from the Summer Palace entrance. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs around 40 RMB. For comfort, book a private car service; it takes roughly 40 minutes via Jingmi Road and North Fifth Ring Road, passing lush urban greenbelts. Airport tourism desks also assist with ticket bookings and guided brochures.
Visit Tingyu Xuan Café, located just outside the East Gate, which blends Suzhou-style garden architecture with bamboo screens and white-walled courtyards, creating a "living painting" atmosphere. Their signature lotus latte and lotus mousse draw inspiration from palace gardens, paired with live guzheng music. Weekends host ink-painting workshops and lakeside sketching sessions, making it a favorite among photographers and art lovers seeking tranquility.
During summer months, the Summer Palace hosts nighttime light shows extending hours to 8 PM, illuminating the Kunming Lake and Long Corridor with thousands of traditional Chinese lanterns. The highlight is the musical fountain display, synchronized with historical scenes from the garden's past. At 7:30 PM nightly, expect performances of Peking opera excerpts and folk storytelling, enhancing the immersive cultural experience. Book tickets in advance via official channels to avoid queues.
Discover Yishoutang, a secluded Qing-era villa tucked behind the hillside, now housing a branch of the Chinese Garden Museum showcasing Ming-Qing garden models and artisan tools. It’s quiet and rarely visited. Another hidden gem is the West Dike Willow Path, a winding trail along Kunming Lake’s western edge, where century-old willows sway above duck-filled waters. Here, fishing boats drift silently—no motor vehicles allowed—making it perfect for peaceful walks and creative inspiration.
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