Beijing Afternoon tour to Ming Tombs and Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival

Following a pickup from your accommodation in Beijing city center at your selected time, meet your private guide and hop aboard your air-conditioned vehicle, heading directly to The Ming Tombs. Your professional tour guide will give you an explanation of the Ming Tombs and the related Chinese history and culture on the way. You will also enjoy the beautiful countryside scenery on the way.

You will visit the Dingling at Ming Tombs. Dingling Tomb, the only underground palace which was open to the public. Dingling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the longest ruling period of all the 16 Ming emperors. The construction started when he was only 22, and it took 6 years to finish. It was completed in 1590. After he died, he was buried in Dingling with his two empresses. Your guide will give a detailed stories about the Ming dynasties history and tell the life story of the owner of this tomb. You will be amazed by the complicated burial culture in the Ming Dynasty.

After lunch at the local Chinese restaurant, heading to Longqing Gorge (About 30minutes drive).

The Longqing Gorge ice and snow festival starts from mid-January and runs until end-February. Over 400 ice sculptures, carved by both Chinese and foreign artists, are exhibited here. Each year has a different theme. When illuminated at night, these brilliant sculptures create a fantastic visual experience. The mountains around the gorge are also illuminated, a beautiful background for the winter wonderland in the middle basin. Besides the ice sculptures, there are fireworks ceremonies, folk dancing, and minority ethnic songs, all presented on the central stage. You can try their hand at ice-fishing, tobogganing, ice-slides, skating, or one of numerous other ice or snow sports. There is also a human-sized ice maze to get lost in. There is something on offer for all age groups, making for a thrilling excursion for the whole family.

Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing. (2 hours driving time).