CN-PEKBLT21 – Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Full Day Tour (Private)

Your day begins with a hotel pickup between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM by your local English-speaking tour guide and private driver.

First, visit the sublime Temple of Heaven—a UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design” that embodies an ancient Chinese cosmology. For centuries, this sacred complex was where the Emperor, revered as the Son of Heaven, performed solemn rituals to maintain cosmic harmony and pray for bountiful harvests.

Twice a year—especially at the winter solstice—the Emperor and his entire court would process from the Forbidden City in silence, dressed in ritual robes and abstaining from meat, to encamp within these grounds. Ordinary citizens were forbidden from witnessing the ceremony. At its climax, the Emperor would ascend the Earthly Mount to offer prayers directly to Heaven. It was believed that even the smallest error in this ritual would bring misfortune to the entire nation.

As you explore, your guide will reveal the symbolism woven into every detail: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is supported by four massive dragon pillars, each representing a season; twelve inner pillars mark the lunar months, while twelve outer pillars signify the traditional two-hour divisions of the day. Nearby, the Seven-Star Stone Group honors the seven sacred peaks of Taishan Mountain, a classical site of Heaven worship.

After this spiritual and architectural immersion, enjoy a delicious authentic Chinese lunch at a beautiful local restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel to the enchanting Summer Palace—a 2.9-square-kilometer (1.1 sq mi) imperial retreat where three-quarters of the area is water. Centered around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, this lakeside paradise blends poetry, nature, and imperial design into one harmonious landscape. Discover its six scenic zones: the Halls, Longevity Hill (divided into front and back slopes), Kunming Lake—home to Nanhu, Zaojiantang, and Zhijingge Islands—the Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area, the legendary Long Corridor (a 728-meter painted promenade), and the Central Axis of the hill, lined with pavilions and temples.

The West Dam splits the lake in two, while the East Dam, built during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor, adds to the garden’s elegant balance.

At the end of this journey through celestial ritual and imperial serenity, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel—enriched by the wisdom and beauty of China’s greatest cultural landmarks.

Your day begins with a hotel pickup between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM by your local English-speaking tour guide and private driver.

First, visit the sublime Temple of Heaven—a UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design” that embodies an ancient Chinese cosmology. For centuries, this sacred complex was where the Emperor, revered as the Son of Heaven, performed solemn rituals to maintain cosmic harmony and pray for bountiful harvests.

Twice a year—especially at the winter solstice—the Emperor and his entire court would process from the Forbidden City in silence, dressed in ritual robes and abstaining from meat, to encamp within these grounds. Ordinary citizens were forbidden from witnessing the ceremony. At its climax, the Emperor would ascend the Earthly Mount to offer prayers directly to Heaven. It was believed that even the smallest error in this ritual would bring misfortune to the entire nation.

As you explore, your guide will reveal the symbolism woven into every detail: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is supported by four massive dragon pillars, each representing a season; twelve inner pillars mark the lunar months, while twelve outer pillars signify the traditional two-hour divisions of the day. Nearby, the Seven-Star Stone Group honors the seven sacred peaks of Taishan Mountain, a classical site of Heaven worship.

After this spiritual and architectural immersion, enjoy a delicious authentic Chinese lunch at a beautiful local restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel to the enchanting Summer Palace—a 2.9-square-kilometer (1.1 sq mi) imperial retreat where three-quarters of the area is water. Centered around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, this lakeside paradise blends poetry, nature, and imperial design into one harmonious landscape. Discover its six scenic zones: the Halls, Longevity Hill (divided into front and back slopes), Kunming Lake—home to Nanhu, Zaojiantang, and Zhijingge Islands—the Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area, the legendary Long Corridor (a 728-meter painted promenade), and the Central Axis of the hill, lined with pavilions and temples.

The West Dam splits the lake in two, while the East Dam, built during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor, adds to the garden’s elegant balance.

At the end of this journey through celestial ritual and imperial serenity, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel—enriched by the wisdom and beauty of China’s greatest cultural landmarks.