2 Days Private Beijing Imperial Tour

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your own booked hotel at 09:00 this morning. After a brief introduction to this private Beijing 2-day tour package, we will go to visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world that has witnessed some of the most massive national ceremonies throughout its 500-year-plus history, including the founding of People’s Republic of China in 1949. Before you there will be an open ground of 440,000 square meters (109 acres), with opulent Great Hall of the People in the west, the highest organ of state power, and National Museum of China in the east, the supreme national-level treasure house of history and art.

Walk until the northern end of the square, cross the Chang'an Avenue underground passage, and you will arrive at the entrance of the Forbidden City, the world’s largest imperial palace complex where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1911 AD) lived and worked. You get to appreciate not only the grandeur of the golden-tiled, red-walled architecture, but the historical relics treasured by humanity displayed in the palaces. Speaking of relics, the golden doornails on the entrance gate to the palaces might also be of your interest. You will notice they are 9 rows and 9 columns of doornails on each door, as the number “9” symbolizes the supremacy of Chinese ancient emperors.

Important note: Entrance tickets of the Forbidden City are usually released online 7 days in advance and could be easily sold out in one hour. Kindly advise you to book the tour at least 8 days before since the ticket purchase is based on the real name policy.

In the afternoon, this Beijing 2 days itinerary will be extended to the Temple of Heaven. Since it’s where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held the heaven worship ceremony, a main feature of this place is its circular shapes over squares, built so to echo the Chinese philosophy of “heaven is round and earth square”, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between heaven and human. You’ll marvel at the majesty of the skyblue-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and Circular Mound Altar, the very hallmarks of this complex, used by ancient emperors as interlocutors to pray for good harvests and offer sacrifice to heaven.

Afterwards, we will head to Hutongs, typical narrow lanes between rows of courtyard houses. Different from the Forbidden City, Hutongs represent the ordinary side of this city, in which you’ll see locals talking, laughing, or even dancing or playing Chinese chess. A delightful rickshaw ride and a visit to a local family will also be arranged, for you to feel more engaged in the traditional Beijing lifestyle.

As today’s trip reaches its end, we will drive you back to hotel.

► Dinner Suggestion:
After today’s hutong trip, perhaps have a stroll into Nanluoguxiang Hutong to discover the restaurant Za Mo, which offers a taste of traditional Beijing flavors. You will spot it easily as it has a larger façade, with English name “TASTE” inscribed on the name board. The interior is atmospherically decorated with big red lanterns, which oozes a charm unique to China and provides a great backdrop for photos. Try its signature Roast Duck Wrap, a simple alternative to the classic Peking Roast Duck dish. Other offerings include the authentic Beijing-style Noodles with Soybean Paste (Zha Jiang Mian). Average cost per person: CNY 60 / USD 8.

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at 08:00 for an excursion to Badaling Great Wall, a renowned segment of the Great Wall of China for its unrivalled perilous magnificence among others. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD), it has developed from a part of the defense system to one of the hottest attractions for tourists from all over the world. Its resemblance to a giant Chinese dragon winding through picturesque sceneries will deeply impress you.

On the way back downtown, we will pass by the National Stadium, widely-known as the Bird's Nest, the sports venue that staged 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. We will make a short stop here for you to view this distinctive building. Take good photos or selfies if you like.

The last stop of today's sightseeing will be the Summer Palace, the largest imperial garden left from Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD), still intact despite of its 200 years of history. The site is highly-recommended by all visitors that have ever been here, for its pleasant harmony between natural landscape and classical Chinese architecture. Here, you get to stand by a serene vast lake – the Kunming Lake - that takes up three quarters of its total area, taking pictures of wild ducks frolicking on or above the water, against typical Chinese pavilions jutting out on hillsides in the distance.

This will be the end of your 2-day Beijing tour. It’s time to say goodbye after your guide and driver take you back to hotel. We hope you have had a great time with us!

Travel Tip: China has a wide range of food selections from street food to fine dining, and the prices are quite fair. We leave all meals on your own for you to explore authentic local foods yourself. But no worries! Your guide is always glad to offer any suggestions and assistance.