CN-PEKBLT34 – 2 Days Great Wall – Mutianyu, City with Free Show, Ming Tombs (Free Show Choices) – Private

Day 1: Ming Tombs, Mutianyu Great Wall & Olympic Green

Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby at around 8:00 AM. Begin your journey to the Ming Tombs—China’s best-preserved imperial burial complex, with over 500 years of history. Visit Changling, the largest and most majestic tomb, built for the Yongle Emperor. Spend approximately 1 hour discovering its grand architecture and sacred legacy.

After a delicious local Chinese lunch, head to the breathtaking Mutianyu Great Wall—a serene and less-crowded section nestled in pristine forest. Over 96% of the area is covered in woods, creating a living masterpiece that shifts with the seasons: wildflowers bloom in spring, hills glow green in summer, autumn trees hang heavy with fruit, and in October, the peaks blaze in golden reds and yellows. In winter, snow drapes the Wall in quiet majesty. For the best views, take the optional cable car to the summit and enjoy a panoramic bird’s-eye vista of this ancient wonder winding through the mountains.

Conclude your day with a photo stop at Beijing’s modern icons: the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium and the “Water Cube” National Aquatics Center in Olympic Green.

Day 2: Imperial Beijing – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & Evening Show

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby at around 7:30 AM. Begin at Tiananmen Square, one of the top ten largest city squares in the world and a site of profound historical and cultural significance. Though entry is restricted, your guide will explain its landmarks from a respectful distance: the Tiananmen Gate—a symbol that has witnessed China’s rise and resilience—the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. For generations, climbing Tiananmen Gate to gaze upon the Square has been a cherished dream.

Step into the legendary Forbidden City—the largest and best-preserved imperial palace in China. Designed as the cosmic heart of ancient Beijing, it lies along the city’s sacred central north–south axis (tilted just over two degrees), stretching from the Bell and Drum Towers in the north to Yongdingmen in the south. Explore halls where emperors ruled, rituals were performed, and history was made.

After a local lunch, visit the sublime Temple of Heaven—a UNESCO World Heritage Site described as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design” that embodies ancient China’s cosmic worldview. Here, the Emperor, as the Son of Heaven, performed solemn rites to pray for peace and bountiful harvests. Marvel at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, supported by four dragon pillars (for the seasons), twelve inner pillars (lunar months), and the sacred Earthly Mount.

Next, unwind at the enchanting Summer Palace—China’s largest and most beautiful imperial garden. Spanning 2.9 square kilometers (1.1 sq mi), with three-quarters covered in water, it centers on Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Stroll through six scenic areas, including the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, and tranquil islands like Nanhu and Zhijingge—a perfect blend of poetry, nature, and imperial artistry.

In the evening, you’ll be transferred to enjoy a high-quality local performance—choose from Kung Fu, Acrobatics, or Beijing Opera. After the show, return to your hotel independently.