Chinese House in Sanssouci Park

China, A Guest at Sanssouci

During his stays at Sanssouci, Frederick the Great appreciated the intimate atmosphere of the Chinese House, which for him represented an escape to a fantasy world.

The playful Rococo pavilion is likely the most famous surviving example of the Chinoiserie fashion that influenced court culture throughout Europe in the 18th century.  In doing so, it shows less of China as it was back then than it does of European's ideas about it.

The pavilion's exterior is distinguished by life-sized gilded figures placed around the building individually or in groups. Chinese musicians and tea drinkers, dressed in fairytale-like apparel, are represented. Columns in the shape of gilded palm trees are meant to convey the impression that we are not in Europe. Peter Benckert and Johann Gottlieb Heymüller created these theatrical and decorative figures "à la chinoise."

The walls of the interior are adorned with gilded consoles on which 18th-century porcelain objects are displayed. The large ceiling painting presents an exuberant “Chinese” social gathering depicted in an illusionistic architectural setting.

Address

Chinesisches Haus
Am Grünen Gitter
D - 14469 Potsdam

How to get there

Public Transportation

Stop "Potsdam, Charlottenhof Bhf/Geschw.-Scholl-Str." + about 1300m walk

vbb-online | Timetable information »

Opening Hours

November to April
Valid: 01.11.2023 - 30.04.2024
Monday  - Sunday: closed
May to October
Valid: 01.05.2024 - 31.10.2024
Monday closed
Tuesday  - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30
Works meeting (16.10.2024) closed

Admission Prices

Single Ticket

Price : 4.00 reduced : 3.00

sanssouci+ Ticket

Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day (not valid for Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge; not valid for special exhibitions; in the Belvedere Pfingstberg, ticket owners are granted the reduced rate).

Sold at all palace registers, in the visitor centres and online. A fixed admission time slot at Sanssouci Palace is included with purchase, and a guided tour time must be booked for the New Palace. Guided tours for the New Palace can only be booked on a daily basis at the visitor centres.

Further information

Price : 22.00 reduced : 17.00

sanssouci+ Family Ticket

Valid for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children.

Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day (not valid for Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge, not valid for special exhibitions), in the Belvedere Pfingstberg ticket owners are granted the reduced rate.

Sold at all palace registers, in the visitor centres and online. A fixed admission time slot at Sanssouci Palace is included with purchase, and a guided tour time must be booked for the New Palace. Guided tours for the New Palace can only be booked on a daily basis at the visitor centres.

Further information

Price : 49.00

Potsdam Family Tickets

Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day, except Sanssouci Palace (not valid for the Belvedere on Potsdam’s Pfingstberg, Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge).
Valid for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children (aged 18 or younger). On sale at all palace registers and at the visitor centers.

Price : 25.00

Free admission
for annual ticket holders

Price : 0.00

Information on free admission and concessions

Contact

SPSG | Visitor Information
Visitor Centre Historic Windmill in Sanssouci Park
An der Orangerie 1
14469 Potsdam
Closed Mondays

Visitor Centre New Palace in Sanssouci Park
Am Neuen Palais 3
14469 Potsdam
Closed Tuedays
info@spsg.de
Phone: +49 (0) 331.96 94-200

Accessibility

  • not wheelchair accessible

Unfortunately, exhibition spaces are not wheelchair accessible.

Unfortunately, for conservation reasons the use of baby carriages and strollers is not permitted in exhibition spaces.

Luggage storage

Please note: No luggage or baggage may be left in the entrance area of the palace for security and safety reasons.
Unfortunately, there are no facilities for storing larger pieces of luggage or similar baggage on the premises of this historical site. We appreciate your understanding.

Dining

In the surroundings you will find the following dining options:

Café Caroline
at the Visitor Centre at the New Palace (South Gate Building / "Südtorgebäude")

Theaterklause
near the entrance "Grünes Gitter"

Augustiner im Bürgerbahnhof
next to the station "Park Sanssouci"

Café Repin
near Picture Gallery and Sanssouci Palace

Drachenhaus Restaurant & Cafe im Park Sanssouci
between "Paradiesgarten" and Belvedere Klausberg

Lottenhof / Bill's Kitchen
near Charlottenhof Villa

Mövenpick Zur Historischen Mühle
near Sanssouci Palace

Impressions

360 degree panorama

Video