Combine the many highlights and landmarks of Beijing within 5 full days tour. Highlights include the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden city, Mutianyu Great-wall, Temple of heaven, Summer palace, Hutong rickshaw rides, Lama temple, Ming tomb among other important Beijing attractions. Special includes Jing Dong Karst Cave and Grand Canyon visit which are at the outskirts area. With a guide to accompany you and distill the importance of each sight, a door to door pickup and drop-off are included.
At your hotel lobby
Day 1: Tiananmen Square + Forbidden city + Hutong rickshaw tour + Prince Kung's Mansion
9:00am: Meet your guide and driver at your hotel lobby
9:20am: Tiananmen Square
See the largest city center square – Tiananmen square, located at the center of Beijing, see Tiananmen Gate with Chairman Mao’s pic, National flag, National Museum of China, Congress Palace Hall, Monument to the People’s Heroes, listen the story of the past and today from your guide.
10:00am: Forbidden city
Explore the UNESCO-listed sights Forbidden City, see the 600 years Old Royal Palace, visit 24 emperors lived rooms accompanied by your professional guide. Learn about the life of the ancient emperors and the secret stories of the concubines, explore the unknown area such as where is the lost half room from the 9999.5 rooms from the Forbidden City. In particular, you will have chance visit the Treasure Hall, which is not often visited by normal tours.
13:00pm: Lunch
Have a tasty lunch at Hutong family, learn how to make Chinese dumplings, try authentic Chinese food cooked by the house hostess, sample the dumplings.
14:20pm: Hutong rickshaw tour
Get to visit the best Hutong alley area, an old city with authentic vibes. You get to take a rickshaw rides to go through the Hou Hai lake area, see the old Beijing area, have a stop to visit local square courtyard family, know more about the local family's life, the birdcages, pomegranate trees, fish pond, tea table, full with the Chinese cultures. Pass by Houhai lake, visit Yin-ding bridge, have a nice walk. It would be a fantastic experience!
15:00pm: Prince Kung's Mansion
In the afternoon you will visit the world's richest man in the 18th century's home, Prince Gong's Mansion. A prince Gong's Mansion, half of the history of Qing dynasty, a pillar in the bedroom worth 2.7 billion yuan, a table can exchange a Rolls Royce. Who's him? He's name was He Shen, he had 1.1 billion with equal to 15 times of the Qing government. You will see his treasure building, different pattern window means different treasure hide in. Follow your guide know more story of He Shen, how can he built the largest square courtyard at that time.
At around 17:00pm, you will transferred back to your hotel.
Day 2: Ming Tomb + Mutianyu great-wall
9:30am: Chang Tomb
Visit the largest and most completely protected Ming tomb -- Chang Tomb in the early morning, which is 70 kilometers distance from Beijing city. Chang tomb is a joint tomb of Zhu Di emperor and his wife Empress Xu from Ming Dynasty, see the precious Nan Mu memorial hall, listen the insider commentary from your guide.
11:40am: Mutianyu great wall
Ready for the Great-wall tour. Skip the line you will see one of the UNESCO listed World Culture Heritage Site — Mutianyu Great wall. It is one of the best part wall, less crowded with magnificent views. You will have chance to take the chairlift or cable car to the top, then take a toboggan slide down, experience the fun. Your guide will narrate the detail history story with you and accompany with you to climb.
14:00pm: Lunch
Experience the authentic food: like Kong Bao Chicken, bean spring rolls, the roasted rainbow trout fish special at Mutianyu area.
At around 17:00pm, you will transferred back to you hotel.
Day 3: Panda gallery + Summer palace + Lunch + Olympic area + National Museum / National Arts and crafts museum ( choose one )
9:30am: Panda gallery
Meet up your friendly guide at 9:00am at your hotel lobby, heading to visit adorable pandas in panda gallery at Beijing zoo, there are 8 to 10 pandas totally here, if lucky, we can see all of them, here you will learn about their life habits, watch they sitting and eating bamboos, playing, sleeping, slowly walking around, so lovely.
11:00am: Summer palace
Visit the best preserved imperial garden -- Summer Palace in the afternoon, listen the insider knowledge from your expert guide about the famous dragon lady Empress Dowager Cixi, learn about her extravagant life and the secret story behind, admire her opera house, birthday celebration rooms, the longest painted corridor as well as the beautiful Kunming Lake as well.
12:30pm: Lunch
Experience a hot pot at Beijing.
2:00pm: Olympic area
Continue get an out view of the Olympic Stadium -- Birds Nest and Water Cube, which are two of the main stadium for 2008 Olympic games, the shape of the " Birds Nest " is like a "nest " and cradle for life, full of hope, you will walk around and get great photos here.
3:00pm: National museum / National Arts and Crafts museum
The National Museum of China was founded in 1958, it has a collection of more than 1.4 millions relics, covering from prehistoric times to contemporary historical stages, nearly 6000 pieces are first-class cultural relics, have high historical scientific and artistic values. " one step across the millennium ", you will see from the full of unsolved mysteries painted pottery jars to has the reputation of the first dragon in china " Jade dragon", the national treasure "Houmuwu" bronze square tripod, to 2000 years ago's refrigerator, the groups of precious culture relics will brings you back to the brilliant glory of 5000 years ago's Chinese civilization; Moreover, you will visit the Ancient Buddha Statue exhibition room, see a beautiful painted wooden statue of Guanyin from Song Dynasty, it's exquisite image can comparable to the Mona Lisa, become the masterpiece from the domestic museums form china.
Or enter to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum to feel the charm of Chinese non-material culture and art. See the most exquisite art and crafts works such as the four national treasure the most beautiful jadeite carvings from the word which created and carved at 1982, finished at 1989 organized by the premier Zhou En Lai at that time, the precious materials and exquisite design are unprecedented. This comprehensive museum also displays exquisite wood carvings, ivory carvings, silk road murals, Chinese operas as well totally 1298 pieces.
At the end, you will dropped off back to your hotel at around 5:00pm.
Day 4: Temple of heaven + Bei Hai Park + Lunch + Lama temple + Confucius Temple & Imperial college
9:20am: Temple of heaven
Heading to see the landmark building from Beijing --- Temple of heaven, which became the largest worshiping structures from the world built by Ming and Qing emperors. Stroll in the park see local retired people play poker, chess, enjoy the peace moment.
11:20pm: Bei hai park
After visit the earliest and most complete imperial garden Beihai park in the morning, which built at 1166AD for liao Jin Yuan Ming Qing five dynasties royal family. See the Yuan relic iron screen; the whole precious nan mu palace Da Ci Zhen Ru Palace which with the entire wooden structure of the hall no painted, became an outstanding architectural works of Ming dynasty; admire one of the famous three pieces Nine Dragon Walls from china here, which carved 635 large and small dragons on both side. Walk along the lake see white pagoda from distance, feel the calm in the garden.
13:00pm: Lunch
Taste a famous Peking duck, dip with sweet flour paste, roll in a paper thin cake, learn the way local people eat it.
14:20pm: Lama temple
Explore the famous Tibetan style temple -- Lama Temple in Beijing,which was called miniature of Forbidden city, built at 1694 by the emperor Kang Xi for his 4th son, since emperor Qian Long was born here too, it has become a " blessed land for two emperors ". Admire three pieces of wonders here : Five hundred Arhats mountains, 26 meters high sandalwood Buddha which was list in the Guinness World Book in 1900, and the exquisite nan mu Buddha niches. Benefiting insider knowledge through your guide as you go, and enjoy plenty of time for a closer look at each of the stops.
15:20pm: Confucius Tempel & Imperial College
After Lama temple, cross the street see the Confucius temple which built at 1302 Yuan dynasty, for worshiping Confucius in ancient china, a great place to visit with less touristy. Followed by visiting the imperial college, explore the only preserved and complete site of the highest institution and administration for managing education during Yuan, Ming, Qing three dynasties, spend a leisure time here in the afternoon.
At around 17:00pm, you will transferred back to your hotel lobby.
Day 5: Outskirts tour to Jing Dong Karst Cave + Grand Canyon
11:30am : Jing Dong Karst Cave
The JD Karst Cave Scenic Area is located Ping Gu county, around 90 kilometers east side from Beijing center. The Great Karst Cave was developed in geological formations 1.5 billion years ago, hence it is known as the "No.1 Ancient Cave in the World". You will enjoy the breathtaking wonders such as stalagmites, stone towers, stone curtains, stone figures, stone flowers and other stalactite in the cave, which look like ice, jade pillars, pagodas, and roller blinds. It's like being in the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea and enjoying Penglai fairyland.The most spectacular landscape is the "Dragon Painting Celestial Script" with relief features on the cave wall, which has a unique shape, like clouds, or lotus flowers, or clusters of giant mushrooms.The total length of the cave is over 2500 meters, you will have a 60 minutes visit.
1:00pm : Grand Canyon + Delicious snack lunch at Canyon area
After, continue visit Jing dong Grand Canyon, which stands out for its steep mountains and deep valleys. Get to see a wide range of beautiful landscapes, with green hills, clear waters, deep ponds, wide valleys, perilous peaks and plunging waterfalls, experience a fantastic glass walkway and climb the steep and narrow canyon crevices for fun.
At the end, you will transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00pm.
At your hotel lobby
Professional and Licensed English guide
Clean and Air-conditioned Business vehicle
Polite and safe driver
Bottle of water
All parking fee, high way fee
Sights tickets:
Forbidden city 60RMB / Temple of heaven 34RMB / Hutong rickshaw tour 60RMB / Summer palace 30RMB / Mutianyu Great Wall ( round trip cable car fee & shuttle bus fee ) 200RMB / Lama Temple & Imperial college 30RMB / Panda gallery 25RMB / Chang Tomb 45RMB / Jing Dong karst cave 70RMB / Jing Dong grand canyon 78RMB / Prince Kung's mansion 40RMB / Beihai park 10RMB
Lunch
Forbidden city was not open each Monday.
Cathy's tour can arrange closer city tours such as one day tour to Da Tong see Yun Gang Grottoes; to Cheng de see Potala palace, Summer resort; or to He Bei Zun Hua see Qing Eastern Complex Tombs.
Please bring your current passport with you on travel day.
My wife & I made a short stop in Beijing before boarding a cruise in Port of Tianjin. We only had a one full day in Beijing and decided to get help from guide. Luckily, we found Cathy knowledgeable and charming young woman. Because we had a limited time se arrange a private car for our tour to visit two of the best Beijing attraction Forbidden city and Great Wall. We started with Forbidden City. Cathy pre-arranged tickets for us so we do not waste any time. Forbidden City is always crowded, but Cathy always found a great place for a view. She shared with us a lot of historical and cultural facts and emphasize interesting architectural details. After Forbidden City we left for a Great Wall Mutinyu. On our way Cathy told us the history of the great wall and its construction. Again, we did not need to wait. Everything was pre-arranged. We walked with her on the Great Wall to enjoy the view of the wall and surrounding mountains. On our way back to the Beijing we stopped for a late lunch also pre-arranged by Cathy at authentic restaurant not far from the wall. And that was her another great choice. O, and one more thing she her English is perfect
Dearest Yuri; Wow, great thanks for the really lovely review, I had such an amazing time with you and Genny that from the bottom of heart, like family, like old friend, time is short but memories are so precious, humorous and pleasant time we spent together, I am so glad have the chance leading a fantastic tour for you and Genny, seeing the best of attractions from Beijing, take care, sincerely hope one day can see each other again in china, welcome back dearest Yuri, Best wishes : ) Cathy
She was the perfect guide for my whole family, we really enjoyed our time with her. She managed everything professionally, the election of the spots and times to avoid crowded hours was wonderful. Thanks a lot and see you soon!
Dear Daniel; I had a great and fantastic time with your family too, three days perfect amazing tour together, lots of history stories, beautiful pics and great memories, lovely family, thanks so much again dearest Daniel, sincerely hope one day you have another chance come back, keep in touch and take care, miss everyone : ) Cathy
This was our first post-covid family tour bringing together 3 generations of 14 people, from the youngest aged 5 to the oldest aged 75. In spite of the challenges of managing a big group, it was generally well managed despite minor blips on the first day. Very impressed with Cathy’s versatility and flexibility to cater to everyone’s needs and preferences. Cathy has very good experience and was able to navigate the traffic wherever we went, and did not hesitate to tweak the plans to ensure we get the most of our trip. We were able to accomplish most that were planned out in our itinerary and she fully understood our objectives of introducing the Chinese culture and history to our children. Our family had an awesome time, took lots of pictures on the best spot recommended by Cathy, and brought home memories that we’ll cherish for a long time. Thank you, Cathy!
Dearest Beatrice; Great thanks for such an amazing review for Cathy, I had fabulous three days with everyone, you are my earliest family group this year, thanks so much again finding Cathy, it's my honor to organize and leading a perfect three days tour for everyone, miss the timing we had together, say hello to parents and kids, sweet and great memories, like families, hope one day we can see each other at Beijing again, Cathy are waiting for everyone's back, take care, welcome back again dear Beatrice, all best wishes : ) Cathy
My partner and I went on a great wall tour with Cathy and Xie in May 2023. It was an awesome and stress-free way to see it. Cathy took us to the Huanghuacheng section of the wall which was pretty quiet due to it being the early morning and being further away from Beijing. If you want to avoid the crowds I'd recommend visiting this section. Cathy has a lot energy and is very outgoing, which made the day most interesting. She has lots of facts and knowledge about Beijing, the Great Wall and Chinese culture. We also saw the Mutianyu section which was moderately busy but still enjoyable, it has great views and the reconstruction part gives the impression of what it once looked like "back in the day". Cathy was more than happy to take endless pictures of us. I'd recommend this tour with Cathy if you want a stress free, everything taken care of experience.
Dear Ross; Thanks so much for your lovely words, I had really amazing day with you and Amanda, lots of fun and memories, at Huang Hua Cheng and both Mu Tian Yu, hope a great journey back to country, and welcome back to Beijing again in the future : ) Best regards Cathy