Beijing. O/N Beijing.

Beijing - At 9:00 am, the guide will meet guests in the lobby of their Beijing hotel to commence a one-day tour of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - The tour begins with a visit to the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, or Gu Gong in Chinese. Located at the heart of Beijing, it served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Construction began during Emperor Chengzu’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and took 14 years to complete. Ancient Chinese astronomers believed the Purple Star (Polaris) was at the center of heaven, where the Heavenly Emperor resided in the Purple Palace. The emperor’s earthly palace was thus called the Purple City, and entry was forbidden without the emperor’s permission, hence the name ‘The Purple Forbidden City’, commonly known as ‘The Forbidden City’.

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - Next, the tour proceeds to Jingshan Park, a stunning royal landscape garden covering 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters). Situated on the central point of the city’s south-north axis, it faces the Forbidden City’s north gate. Located on Jingshan Hill, originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill, or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill), the hill’s mid-summit is the highest point in Beijing, offering a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - The tour then moves to Tiananmen Square, a large plaza near Beijing’s center, named after the Tiananmen (meaning “Gate of Heavenly Peace”). It is located north of the city, separating it from the Forbidden City. The square holds significant cultural importance, having been the site of several key events in Chinese history.

Temple of Heaven - After lunch, the tour visits the Temple of Heaven, a complex of Taoist buildings in southeastern urban Beijing, known as the Xuanwu District. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the complex for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Although regarded as a Taoist temple, the Chinese Heaven worship by the reigning monarch predates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing!

Beijing - At the end of the tour, the guide will escort guests back to their Beijing hotel.

Beijing. O/N Beijing.

Beijing - In the morning, the tour guide will meet guests at their hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer them to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a 90-minute drive covering 80 km.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Upon arrival at the Mutianyu Great Wall, guests will take a chairlift up and toboggan down. Built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), this section of the Great Wall is one of the most renowned. Guests can explore the ancient structure and learn about its history and significance. The professional guide will answer questions and share exclusive stories and facts about the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) - At 1:00 pm, guests will enjoy lunch at a local countryside restaurant before heading to the Ming Tombs. Located in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing’s urban area, the site is a tomb cluster from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including 13 emperor’s mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines, and one grave for eunuchs. Situated at the foot of Mount Yan, the surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful.

Beijing - At the end of the tour, the guide will escort guests back to their Beijing hotel.

Beijing. O/N Beijing.

Beijing - The tour guide and driver will meet guests at their Beijing hotel at 9:00 am and drive to the Beijing Lama Temple, an 18-minute drive covering 6 km.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - Discover the best of Beijing on this one-day private sightseeing tour. The day begins at the serene Lama Temple, where guests can learn about its fascinating history. The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery or Lama Temple, is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. The temple’s architecture and artwork blend Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Afterwards, the tour heads to the expansive Summer Palace, covering an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water: Kunming Lake. This artificial lake was created by extending an existing body of water to mimic the West Lake in Hangzhou. Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. As the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its renowned natural views and cultural interests, earning it the title ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - The tour then takes a private car to the Hou Hai lake area for a rickshaw hutong tour. This tour offers a chance to mingle with local residents and experience the intricate winding Hutongs, which are maze-like and historically preserved. Many residents are reluctant to leave their beloved Hutongs. Guests can visit a local family’s house to experience authentic Beijing life and stop occasionally to take pictures.

Nanluoguxiang - Next, the tour visits Nanluoguxiang. For those interested in shopping, this hutong in the Gulou, or Drum and Bell Tower, district is a must-see. It features several kilometers of shops, galleries, and cafés ranging from chic to kitschy. Visitors will find many cool T-shirts here (Plastered offers a good line) with creative images of everything from Mao Zedong to garden gnomes.

Beijing - At the end of the tour, the guide will escort guests back to their hotel.

Beijing–Datong. O/N Datong.

Beijing Railway Station - In the morning around 7:20 am, guests will be driven to Beijing Railway Station to catch a train to Datong (G2505 8:40-11:00 am). The train journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Note: This morning, only the driver will accompany guests, no tour guide.

Datong Railway Station Zhanqian Square - Upon arrival in Datong, guests will be promptly picked up by a local guide and transferred to their Datong hotel (driver + guide).

Yungang Grottoes - After checking in and having lunch, the tour proceeds to the Yungang Grottoes. Upon arrival, the guide will accompany guests to explore over 59,000 solemn Buddha statues created during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534). The Yungang Grottoes are considered a treasure trove of Buddhist art, taking over 70 years to reach their current scale. The sculptures showcase the Northern Wei’s artistry and atmospheric imperial style, leaving visitors in awe of the magnificent scene.

Datong - At the end of the tour, the guide will escort guests to their Datong hotel.

Datong–Pingyao. O/N Pingyao.

Datong - In the morning, guests will be met at their Datong hotel at 9:00 am and driven for one hour to the Hanging Monastery.

Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) - The renowned Hanging Monastery appears as a grand relief inlaid on a steep cliff. It offers a thrilling experience as guests walk along the hanging walkways to visit each temple hall. It is unique in that it worships the hierarchs of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism together.

Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda - The tour then takes a car ride to Yingxian County to see the famous Wooden Pagoda, the oldest wooden tower in China, standing for nearly 1,000 years without a single nail used in its construction.

Datong Railway Station Parking Lot - After lunch, guests will be driven to Datong Railway Station to catch a train to Taiyuan, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival in Taiyuan, guests will be promptly picked up and transferred to their Pingyao hotel (driver only, no guide).

Pingyao. O/N Pingyao.

Ancient City of Pingyao - The guide will pick guests up at their hotel lobby at 9:00 am to visit the Ancient City of Pingyao.

As one of China’s four best-preserved old cities, the 2,700-year-old Ancient City of Pingyao is renowned for its complete dwellings complex and shops with Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911) architectural styles, lining both sides of the 400-meter-long Ancient Ming-Qing Street. Situated in the city’s center, the Ancient Government Office features a symmetrical layout. At the Security Guard Company, guests will learn about the security industry’s history through cases, vehicles, and weapons used at the time. The guide will explain the cultural background of Rishengchang Exchange Shop, China’s first private financial institution.

City Wall of Pingyao - The Pingyao ancient town tour begins with a visit to the well-preserved City Wall of Pingyao. The rectangular wall resembles a tortoise, traditionally a symbol of longevity. From the wall, guests can overlook the ancient city of Pingyao.

Ming and Qing Dynasties Street - Guests will then descend from the wall to stroll along the traditional Ming-Qing Street. On both sides of this narrow street, there are many buildings in ancient Chinese architectural style, which were once firms, exchange shops, and various shops like teashops, cloth shops, and salt shops. Today, some have been converted into hotels, restaurants, or souvenir shops, while others remain as attraction sites and museums.

Pingyao Ancient Government Office - Next, guests will visit the Pingyao Ancient Government Office, located in the city’s center for over 600 years. Covering about 26,000 square meters (31,095 square yards), it includes many majestic courtyards and buildings. The Security Guard Company is also worth visiting as it is a museum introducing the development of ancient Chinese security guards.

Rishengchang Former Bank - After lunch, the tour continues to Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop and Tong Xing Gong. Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop is China’s first money exchange shop and the founder of modern Chinese banks, playing a significant role in Chinese financial business for about a century. Tong Xing Gong provided private escort services for exchange shops to ensure their safety during transportation.

Pingyao. The tour ends.

Pingyao County - The guide will pick guests up at their Pingyao hotel lobby around 9:00 am. Guests will be escorted to the renowned Wang Family’s Compound, a 1.5-hour ride away.

Wang’s Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan) - This large and magnificent architectural complex, built around 250 years ago, is located in Lingshi County, Shanxi Province, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Pingyao Ancient City. The luxurious residence was constructed between 1762-1811 by the Wang Family’s descendants. The compound impresses with its sheer size and beautiful ornamental structures, resembling a mini walled city with over 200 courtyards, each with distinctive features. Intricately carved wood doors, window casings, stairways, stone carvings, and more can be found throughout the courtyards.

Zhangbi Ancient Castle - After lunch, the tour continues to Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, where guests will explore the maze-like underground tunnels. Unlike the compounds and ancient city, Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is an exception to Shanxi merchants’ culture. To resist enemy invasions, Chinese ancestors utilized geographic advantages to build a 10,000-meter long underground military tunnel with three floors in the village. Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is a complex of historical relics, tombs, residences, and tunnels, with the labyrinth-like underground tunnels being the most intriguing.

Pingyao County - At the end of the tour, guests will be driven back to their Pingyao hotel or Pingyao train station.

• Second class train tickets
• Private car with driver
• Lunch included
• Air-conditioned transportation
• Main entrance tickets covered

• The hotel and dinner

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.