Explore some of the great historical sites of China in these highly popular locations in Beijing. Tour the city's sites and experience the political history and beauty of Beijing's cultural areas.
Home to the Olympic Games in 2008, Beijing has been a thriving area of culture, wealth, and power in the People's Republic of China. Your day will begin at your doorstep with a complimentary air-conditioned transportation service that will take you first to Tiananmen Square. Tour the third largest public square in the world and one rich in history of modern China. The square has always been a bustling area and a center of political activity; it is frequently visited by many Chinese who come to see Mao Zedong's mausoleum and the monuments erected in the middle of the plaza. Your guide will then lead you on a walk to the north end of Tiananmen Square through the Tiananmen Gate. There you will enter the Forbidden City to tour the Chinese imperial palace, which housed emperors for almost 500 years, from the Ming Dynasty to the Qin Dynasty. The Forbidden City consists of 980 different buildings and covers around 7,800,000 square feet, and it houses one of the most incredible collections of historical artifacts and treasures in the history of any country in the world. You will be amazed by the ways in which the Chinese emperors lived and how the Chinese imperial government worked.
After visiting the Forbidden City, you will stop with your group for a provided Chinese-style lunch. Once you are well fed and rested, you will travel to the Temple of Heaven to tour the largest religious complex in China. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperor traveled to the temple annually to pray for a good harvest for all of his people. After all, if there was a good harvest, then the Chinese people would be in good spirits and celebrate their emperor. You will then follow in the footsteps of the Chinese emperors to another location frequented by China's royalty, the Summer Palace. Tour the summer retreat of the Chinese emperors and the beautiful grounds that surround it. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake that surrounds the palace and feel the peaceful energy in the retreat.
During the day, you will also stop at the world famous Pearl Market to tour the many floors of merchandise and shops. Be sure to bring your best bargaining skills, as you can barter with the shop owners to purchase their wares. The tour concludes right back at your hotel, after a full day of experiencing a truly classic look at Beijing.