D1 Beijing: Badaling Great Wall & Ming Tombs
Your Beijing excursion begins with a pickup from your hotel. Drive for approximately 1 hour to the Ming Tombs, located about 50 miles from downtown Beijing. The Ming Tombs are a well-preserved imperial burial complex dating back more than 500 years and are the final resting place of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.
Your visit will focus on Changling, the largest and principal tomb of the Ming Tombs. It is the burial place of Emperor Yongle, who established Beijing as the capital during the Ming Dynasty, and his Empress Xu. Explore the historic tomb complex and learn about the imperial burial traditions of the Ming Dynasty. The visit takes approximately 1 hour.
Before lunch, enjoy a 45-minute visit to a jade carving factory. Jade carving is one of China’s famous traditional handicrafts, combining exquisite carving techniques with rich elements of Chinese culture and symbolism.
Afterward, enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch at a local tourist restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue to the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most famous and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall near Beijing. Spend approximately 2 hours hiking along the ancient fortifications, exploring the watchtowers and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The highest point of the Badaling section is approximately 800 meters above sea level.
A cable car is available as an optional service for those who prefer a more convenient way to reach the higher sections of the Great Wall.
On the way back to Beijing, make a short exterior visit to the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, the iconic Olympic venues built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. You will also have an opportunity to experience traditional Chinese silk arts before returning to your hotel.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
D2 Beijing: Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace
Your second day of sightseeing begins with a hotel pickup between 7:00 am and 8:30 am. Start your tour at Tian’anmen Square, one of the most iconic landmarks in Beijing and an important site in China’s modern history. The square is surrounded by significant historical and political landmarks and offers an excellent introduction to the history of modern Beijing.
From Tian’anmen Square, proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace complex in China. With a history spanning more than 500 years, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace and political center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Follow the central north-south axis through the magnificent palaces, courtyards, and ceremonial halls. Your visit to the Forbidden City takes approximately 2 hours.
On the way to the Temple of Heaven, enjoy a short visit to learn about traditional Chinese medicine and its cultural heritage. After a brief rest, continue to the Temple of Heaven, the largest existing ancient imperial sacrificial architectural complex in China. In ancient times, emperors came here to pray for good harvests, favorable weather, and peace. The visit takes approximately 1 hour.
Afterward, enjoy a Chinese lunch at a local restaurant for about 40 minutes.
Following lunch, make a short visit to a pearl market, where you can learn more about Chinese pearls and browse a variety of pearl products.
Then, drive for approximately 30 minutes to the Summer Palace, one of China’s finest imperial gardens and a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscape design. Centered around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, the garden combines beautiful natural scenery with elegant imperial architecture.
Explore the famous Long Corridor, Kunming Lake, and Marble Boat, and appreciate the harmony between traditional Chinese architecture and the surrounding landscape. Your visit to the Summer Palace takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
After completing the visit, the tour concludes and you will return to your hotel.