Temple of Heaven - Tian’anmen Square - Forbidden City - Hutong Tour (L)

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Begin your day with a convenient hotel pick-up, where your private guide and driver will meet you in the lobby of your Beijing hotel. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle as you visit various sites.

Your first destination is Tiananmen Square, the symbolic political and cultural center of China. Please note that due to unforeseen political events or security measures, the square may occasionally be closed, and as it is a free public space, refunds are not available in such cases.

Once inside, explore highlights such as the 37.94-meter-tall Monument to the People’s Heroes, which honors revolutionary martyrs with carved reliefs of China’s modern history, and the Great Hall of the People on the western side, which hosts national meetings and state events with a classic Chinese-style roof, among other buildings.

Forbidden City - The Palace Museum - Proceed to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Enter through the southern Meridian Gate, and your guide will lead you along the central axis, the core of the palace’s layout symbolizing imperial authority, to explore key landmarks. These include The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest and grandest hall where emperors held major ceremonies like coronations and New Year’s celebrations, featuring the golden “Dragon Throne.”; the Hall of Central Harmony, where emperors rested and checked ceremonial documents before events; the Hall of Preserving Harmony, used for imperial examinations and royal banquets; and the Inner Court, beyond the outer halls, housing the emperor’s private living quarters like the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the former imperial bedroom, and the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where late Qing emperors handled daily state affairs. Explore the Imperial Garden, then exit from the North Gate.

Temple of Heaven - Next, enjoy a meal at a popular local restaurant, savoring Beijing’s most famous dish: Peking duck.

After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO site built for Ming and Qing emperors to pray for good harvests. Your guide will lead you along a curated route to its most important structures: the Circular Mound Altar, a circular stone platform where emperors prayed to Heaven during the Winter Solstice, with stones arranged in multiples of 9, associated with Heaven in Chinese culture, and a center “Heavenly Heart Stone” that echoes when spoken due to acoustic effects; the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the park’s iconic 8-meter-tall wooden structure with a triple-eaved, blue-tiled roof built without a single nail, where emperors prayed for rain and bountiful crops, with intricate dragon and phoenix carvings inside; and the Danbi Bridge, a covered walkway connecting the Hall of Prayer to other buildings.

Bell and Drum Towers - If you wish to visit Hongqiao Market, a popular spot for souvenirs like silk, jade, and traditional crafts, after the temple, simply inform your guide. You can make a stop to browse, with no mandatory purchases, and your guide can assist with bargaining tips if needed.

Your final stop of the day is Houhai, a historic area of narrow “hutong” lanes surrounding a scenic lake, blending old Beijing charm with modern cafes and boutiques. Your guide will walk you through the lanes, explaining their Yuan Dynasty history and the traditional “siheyuan” (courtyard houses) lining the streets, many still home to local families, offering a glimpse of daily life in old Beijing.

Red Theater Acrobatic Show Official - The Houhai lake area is especially peaceful at dusk, allowing you to pause for photos or enjoy a cup of Chinese tea at a lakeside café (at your own expense) before your driver takes you back to your hotel. If you’re interested in watching a Chinese acrobatics show or Peking opera in the evening, your guide can recommend reputable venues and assist with booking tickets. Note that these are extra-cost activities, not included in the tour fee.

Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.

Great Wall at Mutianyu Section - Summer Palace - Olympic Park (L)

Mutianyu Great Wall - Your driver and tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.

Upon arrival at Mutianyu Great Wall, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful sections of the Great Wall, with dense forests surrounding its 22 watchtowers and well-preserved Ming Dynasty architecture, you’ll have two clear options for ascending and descending, tailored to your comfort and preference. The first option is a cable car round-trip. The second option is a ski lift up and toboggan down, adding a fun, family-friendly element, with the toboggan featuring easy-to-use brakes for safe speed control.

Once on the wall, your guide will lead you on a leisurely hike between watchtowers, sharing stories of its rich history. Check out watchtowers that stand out for their unique design. You will also have free time to stop and take photos.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Stop for lunch, then continue to the well-preserved royal garden, the Summer Palace. World-renowned for its beautiful landscape and spectacular architecture, the Summer Palace is listed as a World Heritage Site and considered one of the most classical gardens in the world.

Follow your tour guide as you start exploring the Summer Palace from the East Palace Gate. Here, you will explore key buildings such as the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Qing Dynasty’s former main administrative hall with red-lacquered pillars and a preserved royal throne; the Hall of Joyful Longevity, Empress Dowager Cixi’s former living quarters with a cozy courtyard; and the Long Corridor, the 728-meter “world’s longest covered walkway” adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings. After these spots, your guide will lead you to the Marble Boat, a marble-and-wood structure once loved by Cixi for Kunming Lake views. This route lets you quickly grasp the Summer Palace’s core charm.

Olympic Park - On the way back to the city, stop for a photo opportunity at Beijing National Stadium, the famous “Bird’s Nest” from the 2008 Summer Olympics.

At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to your hotel, marking the conclusion of your 2-day tour. You’ll leave with not just photos, but a deep understanding of Beijing’s imperial history, cultural traditions, and local life.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (for hotels within 4th ring road)
• Professional guide
• Lunch
• Cable car round trip or ski lift up and toboggan ticket
• Entrance fee
• Transport by private vehicle

• Hotel Accommodation
• Gratuities

Experience the best of Beijing in just two days with this exclusive highlights tour, designed to allow you to explore six essential landmarks at your leisure while enjoying genuine local cuisine. Discover the UNESCO-listed splendor of the Mutianyu Great Wall, a historic defense marvel, Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of China, the Forbidden City, a former imperial palace, the Temple of Heaven, an imperial ritual site, the Summer Palace, a royal garden, and the nostalgic allure of traditional hutongs, narrow lanes rich in old Beijing culture. Delight in classic Beijing dishes, including the renowned Peking duck, to savor the city’s culinary traditions. This private tour includes a dedicated guide and transportation, enabling you to delve deeper into each location, ask questions freely, and set your own pace—transforming a simple visit into a smooth, personalized journey that immerses you in Beijing’s history, culture, and flavors. Reserve your spot now for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of China!

• Infant (0-3 year old)is free they do not occupy a seat
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Passport name and number is required at time of booking for all participants
• Security checks at Tiananmen Square are strict. If waiting exceeds 1 hour, consider an alternative: drive past the square; Tiananmen Square may close unannounced due to government activities, in which case it will be skipped. No refunds as the square is free

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.