Newly-Built Palace Gate

The Newly-Built Palace Gate, located in the middle of the eastern wall at the Summer Palace, is close to the southeast of Kunming Lake. Once exclusively used by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) royalty, it now serves as one of the park's entrances for all visitors.
 
Constructed in 1891, the gate is named "newly-built" because it was erected later than other palace gates dating back to the 1750s. Before its construction, there were no walls or gates on the east, south, and west sides of Kunming Lake. The gate was built to enhance the security of the garden and conveniently allow the royal family to enter and enjoy boat rides by the lake. 
 
The gate is a single-story structure with red pillars, a gray-tiled roof, and blue-green paintings under the eaves. In the center, you'll find a large, red wooden door, now equipped with ticket-checking turnstiles serving as an entrance for visitors. Outside the gate, there are counters for ticket sales and tourist information.

Upon entering, you'll see small gray-tiled houses on both sides, which were once resting areas for officials. Further ahead stands a four-pillar wooden archway, a decorative structure with the inscription "Welcoming the Sunrise" on the east side and "Displaying Clouds and Skies" on the west. Beyond the archway lies the eastern shore of Kunming Lake, offering a panoramic view of the Longevity Hill in the distance.
 
The Newly-Built Palace Gate is less crowded, so you not only skip the long lines at the entrance but also enjoy much shorter queues for boat rides inside, saving you a significant amount of time. Also, this gate is close to the southeast of Kunming Lake, providing a fast route to attractions like the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and Nanhu Island, making it a good choice for visitors who want to enjoy the lake view.

However, since the Newly-Built Palace Gate is not one of the main popular entrances, such as the East or North Palace Gate, it lacks surrounding amenities. There is no direct subway station nearby, dining options are limited to convenience stores, and luggage storage is not readily available. Visitors entering through this gate need to plan their transportation flexibly, bring their own food, and travel light.
 
Entering via the Newly-Built Palace Gate, you’re immediately greeted by Kunming Lake, the Bronze Ox statue, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. From there, head to the Nanhu Island pier to take a boat to the Marble Boat. Next, walk to the Through the Wonderland, cross the Long Gallery to reach the Tower of Buddhist Incense, then proceed past the Hall of Joyful Longevity and Hall of Benevolence and Longevity before exiting through the East Palace Gate. The entire journey takes about 2 to 3 hours.

 The boat ride from Nanhu Island Pier to the Marble Boat costs CNY40 per person, with a trip of around 5 minutes. It’s unavailable during the winter ice season from early November to mid-March.

 The route from Through the Wonderland to the Tower of Buddhist Incense includes slopes, so it is recommended to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and be prepared for a physically demanding walk.
 
The most convenient way to reach the Newly-Built Palace Gate is by public bus. Visitors can take buses 74, 374, or 437 to the Summer Palace Newly-Built Palace Gate stop and walk about 2 minutes to reach the gate.

The nearest subway station is Xiyuan Station. Exiting from C2 and walking approximately 25 minutes will bring you to the Newly-Built Palace Gate. Although farther away, the station offers convenient luggage storage and dining option.