Beijing by Bus: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace

1 day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), West Changan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China

Our English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby between 6:30 am and 7:30 am depending on on the location of your hotel. The exact time will be informed by your guide a day before the tour starts, normally after 6:00 pm, by a phone call to your hotel.

The tour starts at the northern side of Tiananmen Square, one of the symbols of Beijing. Here you can see two pairs of 600 years old stone lions, the characteristic ornamental columns, an outer golden water bridge and several other decorations that the guide will explain. The square is one of the biggest on the world, so from the distance, you will be able to see the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Hero, the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of People, and the National Museum.

Stop At: Forbidden City-The Palace Museum, No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100009 China

Then you will proceed to visit the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces group in China, with 500 years of history. Here you will learn about the history of this sprawling World Heritage–listed complex, where Ming and Qing emperors once lived and ruled in opulence. Take in some of the 1,000 rooms and 800 buildings, and marvel at the exquisite luxury of imperial life.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Heaven, Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050 China

On the way to Temple of Heaven, you will have a chance to visit the Chinese traditional medicine culture at a specialized hospital. The Temple of Heaven was a sacrificial complex for annual harvesting ceremonies during both the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. Its surrounding park is vast and also offers the opportunity to join in or watch locals doing their exercises, dancing or to just go for a pleasant stroll.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), No.19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100080 China

After a traditional Chinese cuisine lunch in local restaurant, you will enjoy a short visit to a Pearl Market where you can buy souvenirs for your love ones. Then, you will visit the Summer Palace, one of Beijing’s most popular landmarks and one of the best examples of an imperial gardens in China. The site, which covers a total of 1.8 miles and incorporates a large lake within it's boundaries, has long been a royal garden and was considerably enlarged during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress effectively controlled China for 47 years between 1861 and 1908.

Once this last visit is finished, we will go back to your hotels.

Duration: 1 hour

Included
  • Hotel Pick-up and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned tour coach
  • Professional and friendly guide
  • Traditional Chinese cuisine lunch
  • Entry/Admission - Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Temple of Heaven
  • Entry/Admission - Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
Not included
  • Tips to the guide and driver (Optional)
  • Own expenses
  • Drinks
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • This is a bus tour. The hotel pick-up time will be informed by your guide a day before the tour starts (normally after 6:00 pm) by a phone call. If you didn't get any information about the hotel pick-up time after 10:00 pm the day before the tour, please call the emergency number and they will inform you
  • Hotel must be in Beijing city centre (within the third ring road). If you stay in an apartment block, we will find a nearest hotel as your pickup point. If you stay in a hutong hotel in a narrow lane, please walk a few steps and wait for our bus on a main street.
  • Please note that depending on traffic conditions, the return time may be later than stated
  • All passports names and numbers are required when booking to book the Forbidden City tickets in advance
  • Minimum age is 2 years
  • Dress in comfortable shoes
Features
Tourism
95% Cultural
85%