Castles · Tour
No Shopping Stops, a Rickshaw, and a Family's Courtyard to Sit In
The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Lama Temple in one day, with a local guide, plus the part most itineraries leave out: a rickshaw ride through the hutongs and a visit inside a family's courtyard house. What is included is everything, door to door: transfers, entrance fees, guide and driver. And what is not included matters just as much here. There are no shopping stops on this itinerary, which on a Beijing day tour is a real difference rather than a slogan: the hours saved go back into the sites.
What's included
- Highway tolls, parking fees, and local taxes
- All entrance fees
- Professional guide, dedicated driver, and Eco-friendly electric vehicle
- Unlimited bottled water
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- Pickup & drop-off at your downtown hotel lobby
- Free child seat upon request
- Free earphones
Itinerary
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Temple of Heaven
The guide meets you in your hotel lobby and takes you to the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors (1368-1911) prayed for the harvest. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the acoustics of the Circular Mound Altar are the obvious stops; the tour also takes in the Imperial Vault of Heaven with its sacred tablets, the Palace of Abstinence where the emperor fasted, and the Divine Kitchen where the offerings were prepared. The park around them is where Beijing comes to exercise, dance and talk, and joining in is allowed. Note: on Monday departures, when the main buildings of the Temple of Heaven are closed, the day goes to Beihai Park instead.
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
The circular hall where the ceremonies to heaven were held, under a triple roof of blue glazed tiles, with a domed ceiling that repays looking up.
Yuanqiutan
The open marble terrace where the emperor made the sacrifice to heaven at the winter solstice.
Hutong Tour
Then the hutongs, by rickshaw, through narrow lanes under the willows while the neighbourhood carries on around you. The ride ends inside a traditional quadrangle courtyard, as guests of the family who live there. That is the part you cannot arrange for yourself.
Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Next the Lama Temple, an imperial palace that became the largest lamasery in Beijing. The architecture mixes Han Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan, and among the objects inside are the silk thangkas and the sandalwood Buddha that holds a Guinness World Record.
Summer Palace
Last, the Summer Palace: Kunming Lake with Longevity Hill and its pavilions reflected in it, the paths under the willows, and the Long Corridor running on and on. Afterwards the guide and driver take you back to your hotel.
Not included
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Free pickup and drop-off are included for downtown hotels. If your hotel is outside the service zone, an additional mileage fee applies, or you can join us at a designated meeting point. Please be ready 5 minutes before the pickup time confirmed the day before. Please note that no-shows are non-refundable.
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- If your travel date falls on a Monday when the main sights of the Temple of Heaven are closed, we’ll visit Beihai Park instead.
- Please provide your accurate passport information for real-name ticket bookings, and make sure to carry the same valid ID on the tour day; otherwise, the scenic area will deny entry.
- The Mini Group Tour Option is not recommended for guests over 85 or wheelchair users.
- Up to 12 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
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