Beijing Private Culture Experience with Imperial Lunch
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Beijing Private Culture Experience with Imperial Lunch
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Beijing Private Culture Experience with Imperial Lunch

1 day
Lunch
Private
Instant confirmation
About this activity
The day begins at 8:30am when your private guide and experienced chauffeur collect you from your central Beijing hotel for the short drive to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Ming and Qing emperors performed ritual ceremonies. In the grounds, watch local seniors exercizing, practicing tai chi, playing badminton, singing, dancing, and writing calligraphy on the ground.

From here, it's a few minutes drive to Liulichang Street, famous for its ancient books, calligraphy, paintings, brushes, and other traditional Chinese handicrafts. The grey stone buildings with their tiled roofs, in the style of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), are home to painters and calligraphers: watch them going about their art.

It's a few minutes more to Jingshan Park, a manmade hill that offers spectacular views over the Forbidden City and downtown Beijing on a clear day. Here you'll learn how the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, hung himself here in 1644 as Manchu forces approached Beijing.

From here, it's a short way to Beihai Park, an imperial garden for many centuries, and the city's oldest imperial restaurant, Fangshan. Savor dishes enjoyed by the 19th-century Qing emperors – and the Dowager Empress Cixi – in an ornately decorated environment.

After lunch, board an imperial-style pleasure boat and cruise across Beihai lake to Houhai, one of Beijing's best-known bar streets. As you admire the traditional buildings and beautiful lake, your guide will explain the history and transformation of old Beijing. You'll learn about the hutong alleyway neighborhoods, and explore a traditional courtyard house, before you stroll along Yandai Xie Street, one of the oldest hutong in Beijing.

It's just a short stroll to the historic Drum Tower, where you'll get the chance to witness the drum-beating ceremony. The drums here used to be beaten every hour so that Beijingers could tell the time.

Finally, hop aboard a rickshaw to explore the hutong and visit a local family. Here you can learn a traditional Chinese handicraft, such as making clay figurines, mask painting, paper-cutting, calligraphy, Chinese yoyo, or painting the inside of a snuff bottle: when you book your tour, please specify the craft you'd like to learn under 'special requirements'.

After an action-packed day, you'll drive back to your hotel, arriving around 4:30pm.
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Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport in a comfort vehicle
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Imperial lunch with Soft drinks and beer
  • Rickshaw Ride and Handicraft Fee
  • Mineral water
Not included
  • Gratuities (Optional)
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • This is a private tour, no shopping stop included to ensure adequate time on each sight and comfortable pace
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Please advise one preferred handicraft lesson in advance: calligraphy, clay sculpture, mask or snuff bottle painting, Chinese yoyo, paper-cutting
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
80%
Cultural
65%
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