• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Your personal guide and driver will collect you from your hotel in the morning. Begin your day with Panda Viewing: Pandas are most lively in the morning, full of energy after a night’s rest. These charming black-and-white animals are China’s national treasures. Watch them nibble on bamboo, climb trees, or play around. The guide will share insights into pandas, including their bamboo-based diet, unique breeding habits, and their cultural importance in China.
• Hall of Benevolence and Longevity - Next, proceed to the Summer Palace. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Enter through the East Palace Gate, the main entrance. The guide will discuss the gate’s historical importance and the splendor of the imperial architecture. Walk to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu conducted court and managed state affairs. The guide will recount significant events that occurred here and introduce the hall’s furniture and decorations, reflecting the imperial style of that era.
• Hall of Happiness and Longevity - Continue to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity, the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi during her Summer Palace visits. The hall is elegantly designed and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Cixi spent much time here, enveloped in luxury and opulence. The guide will narrate stories about Cixi’s daily life in Le Shou Tang, her indulgences, and how she wielded power and influence here. Admire the exquisite furniture, elaborate carvings, and well-preserved architecture, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the powerful empress dowager.
• Long Corridor at the Summer Palace - Proceed to the Long Corridor, a covered walkway extending over 700 meters, adorned with thousands of colorful paintings on its beams and ceilings. The guide will highlight some famous paintings and explain their stories, while also discussing the architectural features of the Long Corridor.
• Qingyan Stone Boat - At the end of the Long Corridor, discover the Marble Boat. This unique structure, made entirely of stone, is a remarkable example of the Summer Palace’s architecture. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it symbolizes stability and permanence.
• Seventeen Arches Bridge - In summer, if desired, you can opt for a boat ride at your own expense. This allows you to cross the lake and get close to the magnificent Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which spans the distance between the lake’s southern shore and South Island.
• Kunming Lake - Kunming Lake, a vast and stunning feature of the Summer Palace, was originally a natural lake, later expanded and shaped during Emperor Qianlong’s reign. It was designed to mimic Hangzhou’s West Lake, with three islands representing the three fairy mountains in Chinese mythology. The lake is surrounded by beautiful pavilions, weeping willows, and grand palaces, creating a picturesque scene. The guide will also share historical anecdotes about how the lake was used for imperial boat parades and other recreational activities during the Qing Dynasty.
• Temple of Heaven - After leaving the Summer Palace, the driver will take you to a local restaurant renowned for Beijing-style cuisine. After lunch, proceed to the Temple of Heaven. The transfer takes about 30 minutes.

The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture, where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors performed sacrifices and prayed for good harvests.

• Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest - First, approach the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This iconic circular building with triple-eaves and a blue-tiled roof is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the Temple of Heaven. Standing on a three-tiered white marble terrace, it is a sight to behold. Inside, the large wooden columns are arranged to represent the seasons, months, and days of the year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The emperors would come here to pray for bountiful harvests and the nation’s well-being. The guide will explain in detail the religious significance, construction techniques, and historical events associated with the building.
• Echo Wall - Next, visit the Imperial Vault of Heaven. This circular building with a conical blue-tiled roof housed the tablets of the emperors’ ancestors and the gods of heaven and earth during sacrifices. The architecture is extremely delicate, with finely carved stonework and beautiful wooden structures. The surrounding walls form a circular enclosure, famous for the Echo Wall. This smooth, circular wall is about 193 meters in circumference. Its unique acoustic property allows sound to travel along the wall over long distances. If you stand at one end and whisper, a person standing at the other end can hear you clearly. This amazing feature was designed by ancient Chinese architects using the principles of sound reflection. It was not only a practical construction but also added a sense of mystery and wonder to the religious ceremonies held here.
• Yuanqiutan - Finally, reach the Circular Mound Altar. This three-tiered stone terrace is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. The top tier is where the emperor would perform the most sacred sacrifices to Heaven. The number of stones and the layout are all based on traditional Chinese cosmological beliefs. For example, the number of steps, balustrades, and the arrangement of stones are all multiples of nine, which was considered the most auspicious number in ancient China, symbolizing the supreme power of Heaven. As you stand on the altar, you can imagine the grand and solemn ceremonies that took place here centuries ago.
• Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market) - After visiting the Temple of Heaven, head to Hongqiao Market. Here, you can experience the local shopping atmosphere. You can find a variety of items, including traditional Chinese handicrafts, pearls, silk products, and more. You can bargain with the vendors to get a good deal. Spend about 1-2 hours here before being transferred back to your hotel.

• Expert guidance by a professional tour guide
• Complimentary bottled water
• Included lunch for a complete experience
• All entrance fees covered
• Comfortable travel in a private vehicle
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off within the 4th ring road of Beijing

• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Gratuities
• Additional entrance fee to the museums inside the Summer Palace
• Dragon Boat Cruise Ticket at the Summer Palace

Embark on a private tour exploring Beijing’s architecture, culture, and heritage. Accompany your dedicated guide to the immense Temple of Heaven Park to observe the locals during their morning exercises and engaging in leisurely activities. Visit Beijing Panda House to enjoy the delightful pandas. A stop at the Summer Palace will let you admire one of China’s most stunning gardens. Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant and allow your private guide and vehicle to make your Beijing day tour personalized and delightful. This tour comes with a delicious local lunch, all admission fees, an English-speaking guide and a private transport service.

• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

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