Overview

Beijing, the capital of China, has a vast and vibrant history, home to many of the ancient dynasties, many of the buildings that the Emperors and the Royal Court lived and worked in still stand, in this tour, we will take you on a journey to discover them.

Our guide will take you to three of the Imperial Palaces: Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, and Prince Gong's Mansion. You will get to experience the ancient charm of Beijing's historic District. Whilst visiting the sites, you will also have an opportunity to observe the lives of local Beijing senior citizens, who often frequent the parks, doing group exercises, playing chess, singing songs, or just relaxing and chatting with friends.

Visit to all the sites can be finished on foot, and our guide will lead you in a walking tour, explaining the significance of each location, and relaying stories from ancient times.

Highlights

  • Catch great view from the hill top of Jingshan Park;

  • See the biggest nine-dragons wall of China;

  • See the local people's life in hutong area and gain abundant knowledge about Chinese history and culture;

  • Enjoy the peaceful lake view of Houhai and the relaxed lakeside walking;

  • Visit the best- preserved mansion in Beijing;

Itinerary

Day 1The Imperial Palaces Tour

The tour begins at Jingshan Park, also known as Coal Hill, since coal was once heaped at the foot of the hill. From atop, visitors can get a breathtaking view over The Forbidden City, once home to the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although Jingshan Park was the highest point in ancient Beijing, today it's dwarfed by skyscrapers. It was created using earth from a dug-out moat and was situated to enhance the Forbidden City's fengshui, blocking the northern winds and providing an aesthetic and spiritual link to the mountains of the Ming Tombs. Visitors can climb to the top of the highest pavilion to get a bird's eye view of Beijing.

Exiting through Jingshan Park's West gate, the tour heads east to Beihai Park, a backyard garden of the Imperial Palace, just located opposite to Jingshan Park. You can climb over the mountain, taking in the White Pagoda, and then head downhill to hop on a boat to the north bank of the park. From there, you can visit the Nine-Dragon Screen, Iron Shadow Screen Wall and Five Dragon Pavilions.

From Beihai Park's North gate, our guide will take you to the gardens of Prince Gong's former residence. This beautifully preserved mansion near Shichahai Lake owes its name to Prince Gong, who helped Empress Dowager Cixi assume power. In 1851, he was given the complex as a gift from his brother, the Qing Emperor Xianfeng. Originally built in 1777, it was once home to He Shen, one of the most corrupt ministers of Emperor Qianlong's reign, and has been well-loved and well-preserved ever since.

Book Pirce

Adult(Age:8-80) Price/p.pChild(Age:4-7) Price/p.pInfant(Age:0-3) Price/p.p
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Includes

  • English-speaking tour guide service fee

  • Delicious lunch in a local Chinese restaurant

  • All entrance tickets to the sights listed above

Excludes

  • Accommodations

  • Dinner

  • Transportation

  • Gratuity to the guide and driver

  • Personal costs

Trip Notes

  • The quoted price is for an 8-hour tour.

  • Additional hours are billed at 50CNY for the guide and 50CNY for the driver.

  • Please note that the itinerary is flexible and we can adjust it according to your personal interests, the weather or any unexpected conditions. 

  • For the lunch, we will take you to the authentic Chinese local restaurant catering for the locals, away from tourists. If you prefer to take a lunch in a fancy restaurant or order dishes more than our budget then you can just cover the cost difference above our budget.


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