CN-PEKBLT8 – Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace (Private)

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

First, arrive at Tiananmen Square—one of the top ten largest city squares in the world and a place of immense historical and cultural weight. Though you’ll view it from a distance (as entry is restricted), your guide will vividly explain its iconic landmarks: the Tiananmen Gate—a symbol that has witnessed China’s rise and resilience—the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. For generations of Chinese, climbing Tiananmen Gate to gaze upon the Square remains a cherished dream. Once an exclusive imperial space, the Square now draws thousands daily—whether for national ceremonies, quiet reflection, or flying kites under Beijing’s open sky.

Next, step into the legendary Forbidden City—the imperial heart of ancient Beijing for over 500 years. Enclosed within the Imperial City, itself nestled inside Beijing’s historic Inner City, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lies along the city’s sacred central north–south axis—a line that stretches from the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, through Jingshan Hill, down through Tiananmen, and all the way to Yongdingmen in the south. Your guide will lead you through its most iconic treasures, including: the Meridian Gate, the majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Complete Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the colossal stone carving, the Hall of Union, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and the serene Imperial Garden. Discover how the Outer Court hosted grand ceremonies, while the Inner Court sheltered the Emperor’s private life and daily governance.

After this deep dive into imperial history, enjoy a delicious authentic Chinese lunch at a beautiful local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the awe-inspiring Temple of Heaven—praised by UNESCO as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design” that embodies ancient China’s cosmic worldview. Here, emperors—seen as the Son of Heaven—performed solemn rites to pray for bountiful harvests. Your guided walk includes the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the elegant Red Stairway Bridge, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the famous Echo Wall, the Triple-Sound Stone, and the sacred Circular Mound Altar.

Finally, unwind at the exquisite Summer Palace—a 2.9-square-kilometer (1.1 sq mi) imperial retreat where three-quarters of the area is water. Dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, this lakeside paradise blends architecture, poetry, and nature into one harmonious landscape. Stroll through six scenic zones as you explore highlights like the East Palace Gate, the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Hall of Jade Billows, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, the legendary Long Corridor (a covered walkway adorned with painted tales), and the timeless Marble Boat—a symbol of imperial stability.

At the end of this extraordinary day spanning imperial power, spiritual ritual, and poetic landscape design, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel.