• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Select a start time that best fits your schedule and prepare for pickup from your accommodation in Beijing City. You will then travel to the west gate of the Summer Palace.

During the journey, your knowledgeable guide will share expert insights and fascinating historical stories. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

• Seventeen Arches Bridge - Upon entering the Summer Palace, enjoy the breathtaking views of this stunning garden and learn about the elements that created the most magnificent gardens of the Qing Dynasty.

In the summer, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride to the South Island. If boats are unavailable, you will walk across various bridges and pathways to reach the north.

The boat ride ends at the South Island, where you can explore the courtyards and halls, and visit the Seventeen Arches Bridge, the largest bridge in the Summer Palace, built in the 18th century. The bridge resembles a rainbow over the water, with 544 unique lions on the white marble parapets. Your guide will share the stories behind them.

• Hall of Benevolence and Longevity - Walk along Kunming Lake to reach the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu managed state affairs. Gain a deep understanding of the historical events that took place here.

Continue to the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, which was the largest stage in China at the time. Explore various exhibition rooms displaying national treasures and daily items of Empress Dowager Cixi.

• Long Corridor at the Summer Palace - Wander through different courtyards and halls, listening to detailed stories about Empress Dowager Cixi and how she controlled the country by placing the young emperor on the throne.

Proceed to the Long Corridor, originally built in 1750 with 273 rooms, adorned with colorful designs and paintings, winding along the lake like a vibrant ribbon. Four octagonal pavilions with double roofs represent the four seasons. The gallery features about 8,000 colorful paintings depicting landscapes, human figures, battle scenes, flowers, birds, and more.

• Tower of Buddhist Incense (Summer Palace) - Next, explore the central axis of the Summer Palace, including the Hall of Dispelling Clouds, where Empress Dowager Cixi celebrated her birthday and received gifts from officials and foreign envoys.

Climb to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, where Empress Dowager Cixi held prayer ceremonies on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month.

From here, enjoy a panoramic view of the entire palace.

• Kunming Lake - The next stop is the Marble Boat, first built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong, symbolizing the stability of the Qing dynasty with the saying “the water can hold the boat as well as topple the boat.”
• Suzhou Market Street - The remainder of your trip will explore the other side of Longevity Hill, stopping at Suzhou Market Street.

Modeled after the market street in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, it allowed the imperial family to experience the daily life of ordinary people, which was otherwise forbidden. When imperial nobles visited, eunuchs would act as tradesmen and customers to create a bustling scene.

Your delightful tour concludes here, and you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing City.

• Private Tour
• English speaking guide
• Transport by private vehicle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (for hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city)
• Entrance Fee
• Boat ride in the Summer Palace (Summer time)
• Bottled water

• Gratuities

The Summer Palace in Beijing seamlessly integrates political, administrative, residential, spiritual, and recreational elements within a picturesque landscape of lakes and mountains, reflecting the Chinese philosophy of harmonizing human creations with nature. This extensive 5-hour private guided tour invites you to explore the numerous attractions of one of China’s most stunning gardens: heritage architecture, captivating museums, breathtaking gardens, a relaxing boat cruise, various bridges and pavilions, and significant historical events. An experienced tour guide will vividly bring the Qing dynasty to life for you.

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