3-Day Private Beijing Tour by Public Transport

This 3-day guided tour helps you to dive deep into Beijing’s past, by exploring precious royal palace, and ancient Hutong alleys where local Beijingers have been living generation after generation. Also, enjoy the modern looks of the city in some of its most prosperous areas.    

Kind Reminders: 
1. It is a guided tour by eco-friendly public transport and walk. If you need a private car, feel free to contact our travel consultants to arrange it for you. 
2. One day before this tour, our guide will contact you to double confirm the time to meet you and the address of your hotel, so as to offer you the guided sightseeing service timely.

Today is a day “traveling to the past” to learn the life of both ancient emperors and common people.  

Stop 1: Tian’anmen Square

This morning at the agreed time and confirmed address, our experienced guide who speaks English very well will come to pick you up. After self-introduction, he or she will lead you to the Tian’anmen Square, the starting point of today’s tour by public transport.

► Public Transport to Tian'anmen Square
Subway will be the first choice because it is right along the subway line 1. Also, traveling by subway, you don’t need to worry about traffic jams on the ground. If city bus is better considering the location of your hotel, the guide will choose it finally. The buses no. 1, 1 inter-zone line, 5, 52 and sightseeing line 2 all have a stop to the north of the square. 

Tian’anmen Square is the political center of China. In its center, you would find the Monument to People's Heroes towering straight. At the west side lies the Great Hall of the People and Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao and National Museum of China are located in the east. The solemn Tian’anmen Tower, the landmark of Beijing, is right in its north.

Stop 2: Forbidden City

Follow the guide to pass the Tian’anmen Tower, you will see the southern gate, also the only entrance to the Forbidden City, the solemn imperial palace for ancient Chinese emperors from the 15th to early 20th century. 

The guide will lead you to explore it in a roughly south-north direction along the central axis. Some important architectures on the west and east wings will also be included.

Lunch Break

Coming out from the northern gate of the imperial palace, the guide will leave you some time to have lunch before walking to the next destination. It is not difficult finding a restaurant in this core area of Beijing. The guide would be glad to give you some recommendations and help you make an order.

Stop 3: Jingshan Park

The next stop, Jingshan Park is right to the north of the Forbidden City. After entering from its south gate, the guide will escort you all the way to the peak of the Jingshan Hill inside, from where you can have a full view of the Forbidden City.

Stop 4: Nanluoguxiang (South Gong and Drum Lane)

After overlooking the Forbidden City, the guide will lead you out of the Jingshan Park from its north gate and stroll along Di'anmen Inner Street and then Di’anmen East Street for about totally 1,200 meters (1,100 yards) to the southern end of Nanluoguxiang (South Gong and Drum Lane). If you feel it’s somehow far by walk, the guide would help you rent a shared bike and complete the distance by bike. 

This is a group of crisscross hutongs. On both sides of it, symmetrically lie 16 Hutong alleys shaping like a fishbone. 

Stop 5: Bell and Drum Towers

Coming out from the northern end of Nanluoguxiang and walk eastward along Gulou East Street for a while, you will see the antique Drum Tower and Bell Tower. 

Those two towers face each other across a distance of about 200 meters (220 yards). In ancient times, they were used to tell the time to people living in the city, by ringing the bell in the morning and beating the drum in the evening.

At the end of the day, the guide will escort you to Shichahai subway station and send you back to your hotel by subway or with transfers with city bus.

Today, the guide will escort you to further explore the traditional Hutong alleys of Beijing, highlighted by a prince’s mansion and former residences of celebrities. 

Stop 1: Huguosi Street

We advise you not to book breakfast with your hotel today, because the first stop, Huguosi Street is one of the most popular snack streets in Beijing City, where you will have more choices than ever. Among them, the most popular ones include Pea Cake (wan dou huang), Glutinous Rice Roll with Sweet Bean Flour (lv da gun), Steamed Rice Cakes with Sweet Stuffing (ai wo wo), Cream Fried Cake (nai you zha gao), Seasoned Millet Porridge (mian cha), Baked Sweet Wheaten Cake (tang huo shao). Telling the guide your taste and he or she will be glad to give you some recommendations. 

This street was named after the previous Huguo Temple, but now the temple has already been removed, leaving an old and quaint street clustered with architecture in the style of Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). In addition to snack stores and restaurants, there are also shops selling traditional stuff like wood combs, cloth shoes, and ornaments.

► Public Transport to Huguosi Street
After picking you up, the guide will decide how to get there, taking in the account of your hotel location and the real-time traffic conditions. Nevertheless, subway train is always preferred if there is any subway station close to your hotel.

Subway: Take subway line 4 or line 6 to Ping’anli, which is right to the west end of the street. 
Bus: Take bus no.22, 88, 105, 111, and 409 to Huguosi Bus Stop; or take bus no.143 to Ping’anli Road Cross North Bus Stop. 

Stop 2: Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum

Mei Lanfang (1894－1961) is one of the most famous Peking opera masters in China. Right on the east end of the Huguosi Street, Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum is a classical and traditional style Beijing courtyard. You may seize the chance to know how traditional Beijing folk houses look like. Inside, various furnishings are displayed in their original state as when Mei Lanfang was living here from 1951 to 1961. 

Stop 3: Prince Gong’s Mansion

Coming out from the Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum, the guide will escort you to walk east along the Dingfu Street for about 600 meters (660 yards) to reach the entrance to the Prince Gong's Mansion, then offer you a guided tour inside. 

It is one of the largest imperial mansions, which used to be the residence of Prince Yonglin and later the chancellor He Shen in the Qing Dynasty. The palace complex is quite grand and luxury, which fully reveals the noble life of the royal families in old times. In addition to Chinese style houses, pavilions and gardens, there is a western style gate inside, which is rarely seen in other traditional Chinese building complex. 

Stop 4: Houhai in Depth with Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling and Cruise

Afterwards, the guide will lead you out of the prince’s mansion via its No. 5 Gate, walk northward for about 180 meters (200 yards) to reach the southern bank of Houhai. The surrounding neighborhood is known as the most renowned historical and cultural quarter in Beijing.

There, you may appreciate the beautiful lake scenery and antique folk buildings, while walking clockwise along the lake bank for about 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) to the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling, who was once vice chairman of PRC. This is a delicate residence with pavilions, corridor, dwelling houses and more. The old plants including pomegranate trees, midget crabapple, and Chinese scholar trees are also worth of your attention. 

► Travel Advice: 
1. If your budget is not too tight, it’s advised to enjoy a boat trip on the Houhai Lake while appreciating the scenery from different angles. There is a dock right outside the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling. Various standards of boats are available, and the guide could assist you to rent one.
2. In the area, scatter many restaurants and snacks stores, where you can enjoy delicious Beijing food from imperial dishes to folk snacks. You can pick one to have lunch at your pleasure. Of course, the guide would be glad to give you some recommendations.

Then, walk eastwards and turn north onto the Ya'er Hutong. There is a Guanghua Temple along it. It is open on every 1st and 15th in Chinese lunar calendar for the public to make wishes and worship. 

Stop 5: Yandaixie Street

Keep walking eastward along Ya’er Hutong, you will get to Yandaixie Street. It is one of the most hustling hutongs of Beijing. Both sides of the alley are lined with quaint courtyards in Ming and Qing (1368 - 1911) architectural style. The front part of the courtyards becomes time-honored shops, while local residents live in the backyards. There you can feel the rhythm of old Beijingers' life. If interested, you can select some funny gadgets as souvenirs or gifts.

At last, the guide will send you back to your hotel from Shichahai Subway Station as the day before. If you want to stay longer in the Houhai area, the guide will say goodbye after telling you the way to the subway station.  

This optional itinerary including prosperous shopping blocks and modern busy business districts is for those who want to do some shopping while taking in the city's great skyline. Some time-horned cultural heritages are also included. 

Stop 1: Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing Commercial Street is the most popular shopping destination in the city center of Beijing. Here, plenty of fancy stores and malls are lined up along the road to meet various shopping demands. Some of them are famous old brands existing for several hundreds of years, like Ruifuxiang selling silk products, Shengxifu famous for various hats and Wuyutai specializing in tea.

► Public Transport to Wangfujing
At the confirmed time, your private guide will show up in your hotel lobby and lead you to Wangfujing subway station by subway line 1 or line 8. If it is more convenient to take one of the buses 1, 41, 52, and 140, then the guide will choose it. 

Stop 2: St. Joseph’s Church (East Church)

Wandering northwards for about 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) along the Wangfujing Street while doing some sightseeing or shopping, you will see the St. Joseph’s Church, also known as East Church or Wangfujing Catholic Church, standing at the eastern side of the street. 

Although in the midst of the bustling commercial center, this holy site is still a peaceful and solemn destination for people to perform religious rituals. You will definitely take good shots on the square in front of the church.

Stop 3: Jinyu Hutong

After that, follow the guide to stroll backwards for one block to find the western entrance of the Jinyu Hutong on the left. It is wider than most hutongs in the city, lined up with traditional workshops, restaurants, quaint courtyards and modern malls.

Stop 4: Temple of the Sun

Upon arrival at the eastern end of Jinyu Hutong, continue walking eastwards along the Jinbao Street for about 1,400 meters (1,500 yards). Arriving at the end of the Jinbao Street, cross the Second Ring Road and keep heading eastward along Yabao Road for 600 meters (6600 yards) to the west gate, also the front gate of the Temple of the Sun. The guide can also accompany you to cycle there by shared bike. 

This is one of the five big altars in Beijing. As the name indicates, it was once used to worship the Sun God by ancient emperors in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Many ancient architectures used for the worship ceremonies have been preserved. Inside, also grow ancient trees and beautiful flowers.  

Lunch Arrangement

On the way to the Temple of the Sun, you will encounter many restaurants. If you feel hungry, fill in your stomach before visiting the temple. If not, just enjoy your lunch after coming out. 

Stop 5: Silk Market

Getting out of the Temple of the Sun from its southern gate, the guide will lead you to walk southward along Jianhua Road till reaching North Xiushui Street, turn left and walk forward for about 460 meters (500 yards) to reach a fork, then turn right to walk for 260 meters (280 yards) more to reach the Silk Market. The guide would also be glad to escort you there by shared bike. 

In most overseas visitors' eyes, the Silk Street is a 'shopping paradise'. It is a great place to shop for Chinese-style souvenirs at a reasonable price. Distinctive silk products such as clothes, handkerchief, and scarf, as well as abundant exquisite gadgets can all be bought there. Most products there are of superior quality but lower price than those in the high end malls. Besides selecting favorite souvenirs, bargaining with sellers is also an impressive and enjoyable thing. Some travelers good at bargaining can cut down the price with a discount of 10%-30%. You may try bargaining with the assistance of the guide.

Stop 6: Central Business District of Beijing

Getting out from the Silk Street Mall, continue this walking tour eastward along the Jianguomen Outer Street. 

Stretching from east of the Silk Street to the East 4th Ring Road, the area is clustered with towering office buildings. Headquarters of many Fortune Global 500 enterprises, high-end tech corporations, and newly-rising companies set their bases there, forming the Central Business District of Beijing City. It is a great destination to feel the modern charm of this metropolis.

The subway line 1 is right along the Jianguomen Outer Street. After strolling in the CBD area, the guide will escort you back to your hotel by the subway train directly, or with transfers to city buses.

Stop 1: Taoranting Park

Various traditional architectures are scattered in the Taoranting Park, especially replicas of those famous pavilions throughout the country. Many locals do morning exercise here and you can join them to have fun. In addition, you will have chances to appreciate colorful flowers, including cherry blossoms in late March, peonies in middle to late April, and Chinese roses from middle April to middle October. 

► Public Transport to Taoranting Park
To North Gate: By subway line 4 to Taoranting, then walk eastward for about 650 meters (710 yards); or take bus 40, 59, 13 Zhuan, or 155 Zhuan to Taoranting North Gate. 
To East Gate: Take bus 15, 25, 40, 66, 102, 106 to Taoranqiao North. 

The guide will show you around clockwise or anti-clockwise and end at its east gate.

Stop 2: Liulichang Cultural Street

From the east gate of the Taoranting Park, a direct ride by bus no. 14 or 66 will send you to Liulichang Cultural Street 4 stops away. The guide will accompany you all the way there. 

Liulichang has been a prosperous cultural block in Beijing since the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and it is separated by South Xinhua Street into eastern and western segments. It is brimming with workshops and stores of calligraphies, paintings, ink stones, and ink brushes. Some time-honored brands still stand along the street selling their special products as yet.

Stop 3: Yangmeizhu Skew Street

Reaching the east end of the Liulichang Cultural Street, turn right and walk ahead for a few meters to reach a fork, the alley on your left is the Yangmeizhu Skew Street (Yangmeizhu Xie Jie). Many old stores and western-style buildings are well preserved there. Different from the busy and bustling Nanluoguxiang or Yandaixie Street, this hutong is tranquil and also artistic.

Stop 4: Dashilar Street

Yangmeizhu Skew Street is about 500 meters (550 yards) long. After strolling to its east end accompanied by the experienced guide, turn right and walk till the first cross, Dashilar Street is the one on your left hand.  

It has also been a prosperous commercial block for around 500 years. Along it, you will find many ancient stores selling local specialties like shoes, silk products, Chinese medicine, and tea. You are also recommended to taste some local snacks and have lunch in those old style restaurants here.

Stop 5: Qianmen Street

Walking to the east end of Dashilar, you will find yourself on the widely-known Qianmen Street. 

The over 600-year-old Qianmen Street is a famous business street of Beijing, lined with time-honored stores. It lies along the central axis of the city, stretching for about 845 meters (925 yards) from Qianmen Arrow Tower in the north to Zhushikou West and East Avenues in the south. A leisurely walk along this pedestrian street is a good way to feel its prosperity. 

Stop 6: 798 Art District

At the northern end of Qianmen Street, the guide will escort you to take the subway line 8 to Anhuaqiao, then change to line 12 to Gaojiayuan, then walk for a few minutes to 798 Art District. The transfer altogether takes about 80 minutes. 

Renovated from an old factory, 798 Art District nowadays has become a popular gathering quarter in Beijing for young artists, painters, designers, writers and craftsmen. It is clustered with a great deal of galleries, workshops and studios. On the street, you will see some artistic statues and graffiti. When tired, just have a seat in one of those quaint cafés, tea houses or snack stores to take a break. 

► Travel Tips
1. Most shops and halls are open to visitors for free, and a few charge a low fee. 
2. Some exhibition centers will be closed on Mondays.
3. You need to notice that taking pictures in some shops and exhibition halls are not allowed, so asking for permission first would be better.

Stop 7: Sanlitun

After appreciating some most fashionable art works in 798, return back to Gaojiayuan subway Station to take line 12 to Sanyuanqiao, then connect to line 10 inner ring to Tuanjiehu, which is adjacent to Sanlitun. 

Sanlitun is one of the most popular and prosperous quarters in Beijing to spend the night. Due to its fashionable culture and entertainment, Sanlitun attracts a lot of people to relax themselves in pubs, bars, and night clubs. Besides, there are many top trendy shopping malls. Upon arrival, the guide will introduce the fun places to visit there, inform you how to get back to your hotel and draw an end to this 3-day guided service. Hope you will enjoy a wonderful night in Sanlitun. 

► Public Transport around Sanlitun
Subway: The closest subway station is Tuanjiehu on line 10.
Bus: Buses 3, 4, 43, 110, 113, 115, 117, 118, 120, 403, 406, 431, Night Line 3, Night Line 6, Night Line 24, Night Line 34 and more stop by Sanlitun or nearby Workers’ Stadium.