Private Summer Palace Night Tour and City Illumination

Choose from our three thoughtfully crafted packages below to curate your perfect Beijing night out—tailor the experience to your preferences, and feel free to discuss any specific landmarks or spots you wish to visit with your guide for a fully personalized journey.

Option 1: Basic Night Tour
Seize the rare chance to explore the Summer Palace after dark, far from the hustle and bustle of daytime crowds. Marvel at the Seventeen-Arch Bridge glowing under the golden hues of sunset, wander through lantern-draped imperial courtyards and serene gardens, and let your knowledgeable guide bring the palace’s storied imperial history to life with vivid anecdotes. After the Summer Palace exploration, extend your adventure with flexible options: drive past the iconic Tian’anmen Square, the glittering CBD skyline, or any other landmark on your bucket list.

Option 2: Night Tour + Dinner
Enjoy all the highlights of the Basic Night Tour, then elevate your evening with a delicious dinner of your choice. Savor world-famous authentic Peking duck with crispy skin and tender meat, warm up with a hearty pot of traditional Chinese hot pot, or indulge in other local Beijing specialties at a carefully selected restaurant. It’s the perfect blend of cultural exploration and culinary delight.

Option 3: Night Tour + Hutong Snack FeastExperience the ultimate customized Beijing night: start with the enchanting Summer Palace evening tour, then dive deep into the city’s alleyway culture. Follow your guide to a lively hutong area, where you’ll get to taste 15+ different local street snacks—from savory jianbing (Chinese crepes) and crispy fried dough sticks to sweet tanghulu (candied hawthorns) and creamy doujiang (soy milk). This package lets you soak up both imperial grandeur and the authentic, down-to-earth flavors of old Beijing.

Wander through this imperial retreat, your guide will unravel the rich, storied past of the Summer Palace, taking you to visit its most significant landmarks. If you arrive at the northern area before 6 p.m., you’ll also have the chance to explore several exquisite courtyards—including the emperor’s private bedroom, Emperor Qianlong’s elegant bookstore, and the exclusive courtyard of Empress Dowager Cixi. You’ll gain fascinating insights into Cixi’s life and the dramatic tales of the late Qing Dynasty that unfolded within these very walls.

Head up to explore the Long Corridor which is simply an art gallery with more than 8,000 vivid colorful landscapes, portraits and traditional Chinese style paintings of birds and flowers. It was built in the shape of a bat with open wings since the Chinese word for the nocturnal animal is pronounced in the same way as happiness and fortune.

While stroll along the world's longest art gallery. Hear amazing legendary stories, traditions from your guide under the moonlight.

Move on to the Marble Boat, which was built in 1755 by the Qianlong Emperor with the purpose to warning the government to do things right for the people.

Your Summer Palace walking tour will ends here, your tour guide will introduce you to the best that the Summer Palace has to offer – from the reason why it's been built to the clash of the Qing Dynasty. The tour filling with stories of Qing Dynasy and the life of the dragon lady- Ci'xi. So you will leave not just having seen the Summer Palace, but having experienced it.

Customize the rest of the tour according to your wish. Drive pass by the Beijing Olympic Park where you can enjoy amazing lights of the area.

Wander through Shichahai/Houhai—Beijing’s iconic nightlife hub—where you can browse charming boutique shops and cozy waterfront restaurants at your leisure.
Alternatively, opt to visit Jingshan Park for a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the Forbidden City, or take a scenic drive to snap photos at iconic spots like Qianmen Street, the bustling local snack alleys, Tian’anmen Square, and the striking National Centre for the Performing Arts.
At the end of your unforgettable evening, we’ll ensure a comfortable ride back to your downtown Beijing hotel.