Explore the history of China on a 7-hour coach tour of some of Beijing’s most iconic sites, including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Learn more than 500 years of imperial history and more.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 9 hours
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
Experience
Highlights
- Experience the Maoist influence on modern-day China in Tian'anmen Square
- Explore the Outer and Inner Court of the Forbidden City
- Go to the Summer Palace of the Chinese emperors on Longevity Hill
- See where the emperors would pray for a good harvest at the Temple of Heaven
- Discover where Chairman Mao's body lies in state
- Enjoy a typical Chinese lunch at a local restaurant
- Learn about the traditions of Chinese medicine
- Visit a pearl market to bargain for unique souvenirs
Full description
See the main imperial sights of Beijing on a comprehensive coach tour, starting with an early morning pick-up from your city center hotel and a transfer to Tian'anmen Square.
Marvel at the monuments that pay testament to China’s communist regime and the Maoist influence on the nation's modern day history. One of the largest public squares in the world, Tian’anmen Square contains the monuments to the heroes of the revolution, the National Museum of China and the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. You will not enter the Square, but your guide will show and explain all these monuments from the distance.
Next, enter the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved of the imperial palaces. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (1420 to 1912) and the complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture. You will have approximately 2 hours to explore along the central axis, from the south (Outer Court) to the north (Inner Court).
Then, transfer to the Temple of Heaven, stopping first by a traditional Chinese medicine shop. Upon arrival at the Temple of Heaven, see where the ancient emperors prayed for peace and a good harvest in the medieval complex of religious buildings.
Break for a typical Chinese lunch in a local restaurant. Then, go to a traditional pearl market to shop for unique souvenirs. Continue to the vast complex of lakes and palaces at the Summer Palace, declared by UNESCO as “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.” Enjoy approximately 80 minutes to explore the pavilions, natural beauty of Kunming Lake and palaces and temples of Longevity Hill, before the transfer back to your hotel in the city center.
Includes
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets
- Typical Chinese lunch
- Tips to the guide and driver
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Important information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
Know before you go
- Pickup is from 6:30-7:30 AM. The exact time will be informed by the guide via a message in your hotel after 6:00 PM the day before
- Please note that to be eligible for pickup, your hotel must be in the city center (inside the third ring road in the North, East, and West and inside the second ring road in the South). Please provide your hotel name and address
- Pickup from an Airbnb or residential apartment is not possible. The local partner's customer service team will inform you of an alternative pickup/meeting point by email
- If you stay in a hutong hotel in a narrow lane, the guide will ask you to please walk a few steps and wait for the bus on a main street
- Tiananmen Square is difficult to access because it has plenty of controls. Therefore, this tour does not access Tiananmen Square, but the guide shows and explains all the monuments from a corner in the distance
- This tour includes two shopping stops of 45 minutes each at a Pearl Factory and Chinese Medicine Shop
