Welcome to China's capital city - Beijing! Your tour guide will meet you at the arrival hall of the airport and then transfer you to hotel by private drive. The rest time of the day is at your disposal. Explore whatever you could, or simply have a rest to save energy for your upcoming trips.

Today we will take you to the heart of Beijing to visit the Tiananmen Square, once a forbidden imperial part of the Forbidden City and now a city square where visitors from all over the world come to worship its splendor. This was, and still is, the place to hold the most important national events. The daily flag-raising ceremony has greeted visitors here, come rain or shine.

After around 30 minutes' strolling on the square, we will arrive before the Forbidden City, the world's largest and most intact wooden palace complex that has survived a span of some 600 years. Known for its imperial grandeur, it holds more than 70 palaces with 9,000 rooms, once housing 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1911 AD), as well as their empresses, concubines, and courtiers. Ordinary people were denied entry at that time, hence the name “Forbidden City”. Now, as you are allowed to visit these courtyards and palaces, your guide will accompany you to set foot on this sacred ground, to breathe the air that belonged only to the supreme power of ancient China. If you wonder about the real life of Chinese emperors, you’ll gain some insights in the Palace of Heavenly Purity - the sleeping quarter of Qing emperors. Your guide will also tell you some stories behind this masterpiece of architecture. The drainage system is very excellent. According to historical records, the Forbidden City has never been flooded, even with no standing water for more than 600 years since it was built. You can see many stone dragon head-like decorations around the terrace of each hall, counted up to 1,142 dragon heads totally in the entire Forbidden City. In fact, these dragon heads are drainage pipes, and rainwater would flow away through the mouths of dragons. If you catch a raining day, you could witness the imposing view of thousands of dragons spouting water.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the National Museum. Dating back to 1912, the museum has been constantly receiving cultural relics. More than 1.3 million pieces are now being exhibited, telling slices of China’s history from the Neolithic Age through the present day.

Afterwards, we will visit the Temple of Heaven a few miles away. The largest sacrificial building complex that ever existed in China or even on earth, this will be the most divine site throughout your Beijing tour, because you’ll learn that the place was for ancient emperors to offer sacrifices to God of Heaven for good harvests. Also, you’ll marvel at its engineering achievements. For example, on the central circular stone of the Circular Mound Altar, give it a shout, and you’ll be immersed in the echoes from all directions, a result of its exceptional acoustics. It’s time for us to transfer you back to hotel. Hope you have a wonderful time today.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The Great Wall of China is probably the No. 1 must-see for your trip in Beijing. This morning, we will drive 1.5 hours to visit the Badaling Great Wall, the most celebrated for being the grandest of all sections making up the Great Wall. If the Mutianyu section is the Beautiful, the Badaling section would be the Sublime. You’ll definitely be awestruck by its epic landscape.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Sacred Way, or Divine Road, the path leading to the necropolis of thirteen emperors of Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD). Nestling at the foot of Mount Tianshou, there are thirteen independent palace complexes with golden glazed tiles and red walls, just like the architecture of the Forbidden City, constructed to serve the afterlife of those “Sons of Heaven”. Along the Sacred Way, you’ll see many awe-inspiring constructions echoing the paranormal magnificence of the palaces ahead.

Then, we’ll continue to visit the Dingling Tomb, the only excavated and one of the biggest mausoleums here, burying the last Ming emperor. You can stroll through the tranquility of coniferous trees, as well as witness the exquisite wear of the emperor and his empress and the stone Underground Palace where their remains once lay. That will be our treats for you for today. Now we will escort you back to hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfasts

Who would refuse to see those adorable fur balls of pandas while in China? This morning, your guide will take you to the Panda Hall in Beijing Zoo, to admire those lovely creatures. There will be three halls for adults, adolescents, and cubs respectively. Enjoy your lovely time of watching them sporting here!

After that, we will go to visit the Summer Palace, originally a birthday gift ordered by a Qing emperor to his mother and now the largest and best-preserved imperial garden left for the world. You’ll appreciate not only the quaint grace of the Long Corridor decorated by classical paintings amid natural beauties, but the imperial solemnity of its Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the other place for the ruling power late in Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911 AD) to handle state affairs apart from the Forbidden City.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our visit to the Prince Gong’s Mansion, the most grandiose prince mansion ever constructed during Qing Dynasty. As the residence for Prince Gong, an essential figure in shaping the landscape of late Qing era, it was a witness to the rise and fall of the dynasty. One thing that might grab your attention here is those bat patterns seen on the buildings, 9,999 in total, all indicating “lucks”. There is even a Chinese character meaning “luck” proper inscribed by a renowned Qing emperor. Come here to be surrounded by “lucks”! It’s a hidden gem that you should add to your journey.

After that, we continue this trip to the Hutongs, narrow alleys lined with traditional residential houses, or courtyard houses, most of which have a history of several hundred years. You’ll be brought back to the 20th century of China, by a rickshaw ride and a visit to a local family we’ll arrange for you. Finally, you will be driven back to hotel.

► Dinner Suggestion:
At hutong area, you might be interested by an eatery called Lao Shi Jiao Zi Jia Chang Cai (Nanluoguxiang Hutong branch), literally “Mr. Shi’s dumplings and home-cooked dishes”. Nestled within a courtyard house, it has an unexpected past as a filming location. The star dish is of course handmade dumplings, and here you will find a wide variety of options with diverse fillings. Dumplings are part of Chinese culture so your trip in China would be incomplete if you miss them. Their story can trace back to an ancient time at a village, where people suffered for freezing weather during winters. A wise, respected doctor couldn’t stand the scene, so he decided to find a way to relieve his fellows. He combined ingredients like lamb and herbs and wrapped them into crescent-shaped dumplings, before boiling them until well-cooked. Magically, villagers who ate his works found themselves recovering from freezing, and from then on, people started to see dumplings as a cold-fighting meal and associated it with an auspicious meaning. That’s why Chinese make dumplings every New Year, in order to wish for health and happiness. For the connotations, dumplings has become a form of Chinese cultural heritage. The restaurant also serves Beijing-style Noodles with Soybean Paste (Zha Jiang Mian). With English menus and staff who speak basic English, it is a popular spot among international visitors seeking an authentic local dining experience. Average cost per person: CNY 75 / USD 10.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, we will visit the Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery, outstanding for being the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibetan areas. Originally a prince’s mansion, it had developed into an imperial monastery. It’s still functioning now, so you’ll see practicing monks as well as incense-burning locals and tourists, praying or seeking tranquility. Like others, you may be guided to burn your own incense for free, to pray or show respect to those spiritual deities.

After lunch, we’ll have some peaceful, relaxing time in the Temple of Confucius and its interconnected Imperial Academy. The entire building complex was once the supreme institution for learning and teaching Confucius classics from Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368 AD) until Qing Dynasty. Here, sacrificial ceremonies were also held to commemorate Confucius, whose world-famous Confucianism has an impact on Chinese society for over 2,000 years. 

Your private 5-day Beijing tour reaches the end now, so it’s time to say goodbye. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport and see you off there. Hope you a nice trip home!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

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Inclusions：

Hotel accommodation with western buffet breakfasts
Private English-speaking guide
Private driver & air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance fees to tourist sites

Exclusions：

International airfares
Lunches and dinners
Entry visa fees
Tips or gratuities for guide and driver