Full Day Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace

Having grown at an exponential rate towards an ever-growing population, the skyline of modern Beijing has taken over from what used to be the capital of the Jin Dynasty. Little of that time has remained but awe-inspiring monuments such as the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City. It is these monuments and sights keep Beijing bound to its rich and unsurpassable history at times that modern China continue to grow at an incredible pace. It is these contrasts that has given the Chinese capital such a dominant place in the modern world. We forget the modern architecture during this full day and purely focus on the magnificence of its historical past.

Early morning, pick up from your centrally-located hotel, and we head straight to the world’s largest plaza – Tiananmen Square. To simply walk around this square is a great way to imagine the great historical events of the 20th century that took place here. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125-foot granite obelisk, called the Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution.

Opposite this large square lies the main entrance to the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9000-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors lived. As the name implies, the Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past. You will tour the palace grounds and imagine the mystery, intrigue and incredible power that reigned here.

Lunch is included during this day and what else but sampling some local delicacies at a local restaurant before we move on to one of the most stunning examples of Chinese architecture: the Summer Palace. Constructed in 1888, with its imperial park and right next to the Kunming Lake, it was once a summer retreat for emperors. Your guide will show you some magical views points overlooking the hills, bridges and pagodas that grace the Palace grounds. A leisurely cruise on the lake is included as the perfect ending to a visit to this important site.

We end the day with entering the compound of one of the most recognizable temples in Beijing. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 A.D., specifically for the worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Sprawling with green spaces, with the temple right in the heart of Tiantan Park, it is surround various imperial complexes of religious buildings. During the day, local residents find respite from the hectic life in the capital, as well as use the extensive grounds for activities and exercises.

We return back to your hotel where you will arrive at around 18:00 hrs, depending on traffic.