Beijing: Summer Palace and Panda House Guided Tour
Explore the Summer Palace and see the pandas at the Beijing Zoo on this guided tour. Learn about the history of the Summer Palace and see the Marble Boat. Meet your guide in your Beijing City hotel lobby and head to the Beijing Panda House by taking the metro (pick up with private car if you choose the option). Your guide will give you an explanation of the Beijing Metro System, as well as the city’s vast public transport network. Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to watch some of the cute pandas at the Beijing Panda House, and get to know its habit and story. Spend about 30 minutes here. Continue your tour to the Summer Palace by taking the next metro line (Private car if you choose related option), with your guide's help, of course. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide is on hand to provide expert insight and interesting historical anecdotes. Feel free to ask questions if you have. Upon arrival, enter from the East Gate of the Summer Palace. First, explore the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu took charge of state affairs. Stroll through different courtyards and halls, listen to the detailed stories about Express Empress Dowager Cixi, get to know how did she controlled the country by put the little emperor on the throne. Move on to the Long Corridor. First built in 1750 with 273 rooms, the corridor was fully painted with colorful designs and pictures, winding its way along the lake like a colorful ribbon. Four octagonal pavilions with double roofs were built at regular intervals to represent the four seasons. The gallery has about 8000 colorful paintings, which, as the most charming part of the gallery, depict landscapes, human figures, battle scenes, flowers, birds, etc. Next, explore the middle axis of the Summer Palace, which including the Hall of Dispelling Clouds where Empress Dowager Cixi celebrated her birthday and received birthday gifts from officials and foreign envoys. Climb up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, which Empress Dowager Cixi held praying ceremonies on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month. From here, you will enjoy a bird's eye view of the scenery of the whole palace. Your next stop is the Marble boat, which was first built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong which taking the implying meaning of "the water can hold the boat as well as topple the boat", he want to use the the Marble Boat symbolizes the steadfast rule of the Qing dynasty. Exit the Summer Palace from the north gate, and then choose to take the metro back to your hotel or spend more time on your own at the Summer Palace. (Private car will bring you back to hotel if you choose the option)