Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
- Address: 19 Xinjian Gongmen, Beijing
- Hours: Open daily from April 1 to October 31: 6:30am - 6pm, from November 1 to March 31: 7am - 5pm
- Admission: 30RMB
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Palace
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Reviews
We've found 124 Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) reviews from Viator.com travelers and members: what they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved. It's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Review by Lynne A V, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
It was a very long day but we enjoyed all the sights. Jackie was our guide and was full of interesting facts and stories bout China.
Review by Steven A, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Historical Tour including the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and the Panda Garden
Excellent tour guide, far more interesting than we expected, very personalized experience.
Review by Ruth S, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
A long day touring Beijing. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made sure we squeezed everything into the day.
Be aware that some of the rush is to squeeze in stops at tourist shops.
Review by Martin K, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
In was lucky being the only person booking this tour on the day, so ended up with the guide to myself. Michael was helpful and informative, and answered my questions. There was time allocated for me to wander about and take photos, when he left me to my own devices, which was appreciated. There is a stop at the State silk factory/shop, but no great pressure to buy. Lunch was a little disappointing; the hot dishes at the buffet were only tepid, but there was a good selection.
Review by Louis S, Australia, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Great day, great guide
Review by Daniel G, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Tour was good.
Review by Carlos S, Canada, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
The itinerary did cover the highlights of Beijing, great way to get a feel for the City in a short time. Unfortunately our guide had a very strong accent, very difficult to understand. Also, less stops at the factory shops would be great. Tour was well organized and on time.
Review by Andrea R, April 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
I originally was going to give this trip 4 stars, but I found out throughout others that I met while in Beijing, some of the information I epwas given apwas false. Our guide spoke fairly good English, enough that we could understand the majority what she said. I did appreciate that the guide called our room to confirm pick up time and place. This was very helpful.
Now, some of the information that she told is that was not true. We were shown Chairman Mao's tomb in Tienman Square, but tools we could not go in as it is open only anfewntimes a year. not true. Found out you can go in at anytime between the hours of 9-5 during the week. At the Summer Palace, we just walked around and were give history of the area, why it was made, when the Emperors or Empress would come down. I we did not go into any of the structures except when we went over the bridge to the island. Cme to finding, you can go into the other structures and climb up and look out onto the whole area view from the tip of the hill. The tour also stated that we would see the Jade Factory. Not the case, we ended up at a Government run Silk and Pearl "factory" wich really were places that demonstrated the process then try to pressure into buying. I did enjoy learning about hiw silk and pearls are made, but I don't enjoy the pressure to purchase.
I expect that when I pay for a tour, I get the full tour with a knoweldgeable guide. I do not appreciate not being given the opportunity to see everything. Though I did get a good history, I would have liked to experience the others parts. I will not be back to Beijing, so will not have the opportunity again,
Review by Gary S, USA, March 2013
Doing what: Beijing Historical Tour including the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and the Panda Garden
Excellent tour with Jason, the tour guide.
Review by Julian L, Australia, March 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
Great tour, but a long day at a fast pace to pack everything in. There is a lot of walking, with the first drop at Tienamen Square and then into the Forbidden City before getting back to the bus. It is a great way to see the city, but as with all tours, you get taken to 2 extra places .... A silk factory where they try and sell you a quilt and then a Chinese herbal centre where try to sell you herbal medicines.
If these two selling stops were missed out the day would be perfect, and the perfect length.....
Review by mscott3, Australia, March 2013
Doing what: Beijing Historical Tour including the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and the Panda Garden
Enjoyed the trip, pandas were very memorable. Disappointed that we did not go the the Silk Market as stated on the itinerary but were diverted to yet another tea ceremony to buy tea and a Pearl Factory for the same purpose. Very hurried through the venues.
Review by Vanessa V, February 2013
Doing what: Beijing Historical Tour including the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and the Panda Garden
We took our 7 year old on his first trip overseas and couldn't have chosen a better tour company! We loved our tour guides and our son had a trip he will never forget!
Review by Carol H, Australia, February 2013
Doing what: Beijing Historical Tour including the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and the Panda Garden
Fantastic tour. Guide excellent and knowledgeable. Great opportunity to see what I have previously only heard about and didn't disappoint. Also good lunch destination. Great day tour.
Review by Nicholas W, February 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
The Guide was great. I was the only person on the tour, however as with all tours in the region it was spolied by the visits to the Silk Factory, Pearl Factory and the attempted visit to the "Tea Tasting". Being the only person on this tour I didnt want to see any of them but was forced to go along as the guides get commision on the sales. The actual tour part was informative and enjoyable however the 3 hours or so of diversions would have been better spent enjpying some of Beijings other sites which i would have paid a few dollars more for.
Review by Laurie M, January 2013
Doing what: Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven
We had a great day with Linda Li at the Mutianyu portion of the Great Wall of China!
She was very flexible, it was a very cold morning with ice on the pathway. We were disappointed not to be able to walk the wall but it was great to see the snow and landscaping traced by the snow.
