Summer Palace and the Drum & Bell Towers | Foxiang Tower and Kunming Lake, at the Summer Palace in Beijing
Foxiang Tower and Kunming Lake, at the Summer Palace in Beijing. (Photo credit shizhao, CC BY-SA 2.0 license)

Summer Palace and the Drum & Bell Towers

Take a stroll through the grounds of the Summer Palace, then visit the Drum and Bell Towers, finishing with a walk through the ‘hutongs’, the narrow lanes where you’ll see a little of ‘old’ Beijing.

Level 1
Advance booking required. 4 hours of easy walking. (Can I do it?)
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Booking info

Private tour: Summer Palace and the Drum & Bell Towers

From ¥450 and up per person, depending on group size.

For cost details please see the table of prices and inclusions

These city tours aren’t the hikes that Beijing Hikers is famous for, but they are the sort of outings we’d do for visiting friends or family—we’d never send them off on a mass-market package tour!

Seventeen-Arches Bridge at the Summer Palace
Seventeen-Arches Bridge at the Summer Palace. (Click for larger image)

At the Summer Palace …

The Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sprawling imperial garden complex known for its natural beauty, historic architecture, and cultural significance.

Your guide will lead you on a walk from the north gate through to the south gate, taking you by some hidden highlights as well as:

  • Foxiangge—also known as the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a prominent architectural feature with panoramic views of the surrounding area.
  • The Long Corridor—a covered walkway adorned with intricate paintings, stretching along the northern shore of Kunming Lake.
  • The Marble Boat—a lakeside pavilion built in the shape of a boat, symbolizing stability and longevity.
  • Gardens and courtyards—featuring classical Chinese landscaping, pavilions, and halls, providing tranquil spaces for leisure and contemplation.
  • The Bronze Cow—a statue located near the Marble Boat, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
  • The Seventeen-Arch Bridge—an ornate bridge that crosses Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island, featuring 544 unique carved lions.

You’ll finish the tour at the south gate. Your guide and driver will then take you to Beijing’s lake district and hutongs to begin a walking tour that will show you the sights and sounds of ‘old’ Beijing.

Canals at Shichahai and Houhai Lakes.
Canals at Shichahai and Houhai Lakes. (Click for larger image)

Your walking tour in central Beijing will take you by …

  • Houhai and Shichahai Lakes—scenic lakes located in central Beijing, offering recreational activities such as boating in summer and ice skating in winter. They are popular spots for locals to exercise and socialize.
  • Yandaixiejie—formerly a street lined with shops selling tobacco pipes (‘yandai’), it is now a vibrant area with cafes, boutiques, and traditional-style architecture.
  • Bell Tower—originally used for timekeeping and signalling the start of the day, it served as an important landmark in ancient Beijing.
  • Drum Tower—built for timekeeping and signalling important events, it housed large drums that were beaten to mark the hours of the day and alert the city in case of emergencies. You may have the chance to see a drum demonstration if luck is on your side. (Note: There are steep stairs here.)
  • Hutongs—referring to the narrow lanes and alleys formed by traditional courtyard residences (siheyuan), hutongs offer a glimpse into Beijing’s historical neighbourhoods. They are rich in culture and community life, with residents often gathering in communal spaces and small businesses lining the lanes. Your guide will take you on a stroll through the hutongs to the east of the Drum and Bell Towers.
Beijing’s Bell Tower
Beijing’s Bell Tower. (Click for larger image)

For a successful booking—we’ll need a few days to get this trip set up for you. For best results, contact us at least a week in advance.

Prices and inclusions

Prices

Price on application for larger groups.
Group size 1 2 3 4 5–9
Price
per person
¥1,800 ¥950 ¥675 ¥550 ¥450

Inclusions

  • English-speaking tour guide.
  • Tickets and entry fees.
  • Taxi/van transfer from Summer Palace to hutongs area.
  • 3–4 hour itinerary.

Add-ons at extra cost

  • Pickup in private vehicle from the airport or your hotel in central Beijing to go with the in-trip transfers.

Not included: meals, snacks, drinks, surprise shopping trips.

Booking countdown

T-2 weeks Contact us about your tour
T-1 week Arrangements and payment confirmed
T-3 days Guide contact information and meeting location confirmed
On the day Meet up with your guide, tour commences

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Can’t find your trip? You can do nearly all of our hikes as a private tour. Contact us for details