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Beijing Highlights: Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple
5.0
14 Ratings
Dong Cheng Qu
Explore three of the most iconic landmarks in downtown Beijing: the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, on a non-shopping mini group day tour that includes lunch.
Explore three of the most iconic landmarks in downtown Beijing: the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, on a non-shopping mini group day tour that includes lunch.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - After enjoying a delightful local lunch at a Chinese restaurant, head to the Summer Palace, a retreat for members of the Imperial family. Take a leisurely stroll by the lake as your tour guide shares the history and stories of the area, including a visit to the room where Empress Dowager Cixi once lived. The long…
- Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - After enjoying a delightful local lunch at a Chinese restaurant, head to the Summer Palace, a retreat for members of the Imperial family. Take a leisurely stroll by the lake as your tour guide shares the history and stories of the area, including a visit to the room where Empress Dowager Cixi once lived. The long corridor is another highlight of the Summer Palace, perfect for capturing stunning photos.
Afterward, you will be taken to XI ZHI MEN station to bid farewell to your guide. Your guide will assist you in finding a taxi or subway back to your hotel (cost not included).
- Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Visit the Forbidden City after the Temple of Heaven. Enter through the South Meridian Gate and spend a few hours discovering the imperial palace, which was the residence of emperors and the ceremonial and political hub of the Chinese government.
Learn about the Ming and Qing dynasties, which ruled for approximately 500 years. Explore the southern section (the Outer Court), where the emperor wielded his supreme power, and then move to the northern section (the Inner Court), where he lived with his royal family.
- Temple of Heaven - @09:00 Meet your guide and group at TIAN TAN DONG MEN subway station, EXIT D, Line 5. 天坛东门， D出口，地铁5号线
The Temple of Heaven served as the religious retreat for former emperors. Explore the grounds, which now function as a public park. After the tour, continue to the Forbidden City.
What's Included
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance tickets to the sights
- Public transportation including subway and Uber between sights
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance tickets to the sights
- Public transportation including subway and Uber between sights
What's Not Included
- Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
- Gratuity to the guide
- Hotel/airport pickup and drop off
- Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
- Gratuity to the guide
- Hotel/airport pickup and drop off
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Location
Grand Hotel Beijing
东长安街
Grand Hotel Beijing 北京贵宾楼饭店
电话 : 010-65137788
地址 : 北京市东城区东长安街35号
Address: 35 East Chang'an Ave, Dongcheng District Beijing 100006
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(14 Ratings)
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1 star
Newyorkerredoux
Jun 22, 2025
Excellent tours, outstanding service. - Unfortunately, my family and I made several last-minute changes to our schedule for Beijing and I wasn’t the easiest customer. More than arranging two outstanding tours, Katherine Lou was an ongoing travel consultant who, in many ways, saved our travel experience in China’s capital city.
My family enjoyed an excellent tour of the Forbidden City with a highly informative, entertaining and knowledgeable guide. Angela brought true life to the forbidden city experience.
The following morning, we joined James who conveyed a similar expertise with insights about the Summer Palace and its history, with an update on contemporary China.
Beyond that, I was in frequent contact with Catherine about other activities and she responded almost immediately to every request. I highly recommend Catherine Lu tours. The tours were excellent and her service went well beyond any expectations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shenisec2025
Jun 7, 2025
perect - Our guide was Iris and she was such a great guide! Very accommodating and was able to asnwer our questions even when it wasn't part of the tour. We asked about local living and reccomendations for restaurants etc. and she was able to answer all of them nicely. We started off at the tianamen square then went to the forbidden city where she explaied and took beautiful pictures of us. When we arrived at the restaurant, the food as already set. we did not need to wait which was very convenient. then we will head to the summer palace. Very good!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X3590qbcarolinec
Jun 7, 2025
Forbidden City day tour - The tour inside the Forbidden City was made extraordinary and meaningful because our tour guide Su Min explain very well the history of the palace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P8977pvcarlosc
Jun 7, 2025
Very elaborate and educational. Learned a lot! Good job! - Yes I really enjoyed her explanations very clear and she was very patient even if the weather outside was hot. She was smiling all the time. Will do it again. Lunch was very good. Local restaurant
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K6118enclairec
Jun 7, 2025
entertaining and informative tour - the tour guide was very friendly, accommodating, and explained the places we visited very well. it was a fun and enjoyable experience with Ms. Iris (our tour guide). we ate at a delicious local restaurant for lunch and the vehicle ride was comfortable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ailoony
Apr 24, 2025
Memorable Tour! - We had a great tour with our guide Kathy. Kathy is a warm and personable guide who spoke excellent English. She gave us clear and interesting information about the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the hutongs of Beijing. Kathy also introduced us local dishes in a popular restaurant in the hutong area. The driver Mr Yang was an amicable and safe driver who got to our destinations in his very comfortable car. The day was indeed memorable, not just because of the outstanding attractions but because of the exceptional guide Kathy! Thank you, Kathy and Mr Yang!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Santosh_c
Dec 1, 2024
Tour guide Tony is good knowledge about these sightseeing's and well take care of us - Awesome experience and good to visit Forbidden palace and Tiananmen square and Temple of Heaven architecture is amazing .
Review provided by Viator
Jessicaavasconcelos
Nov 15, 2024
Lisa is incredible - What a lucky chance to have an excursion with Lisa, from Catherine Lu Tour.
Lisa was a fantastic guide, very attentive and with great explanations about the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.
She shared many interesting facts and took great photos. Thank you very much, we will always remember. I strongly recommend Lisa
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claudia_g
Nov 4, 2024
Thank you - Our tour with Amanda was really nice, she was really patient and gave us great details of the city. Thank you
Review provided by Viator
Gary_w
Sep 13, 2024
Excellent experience. Thank you - Joseph was our guide and went above and beyond. Not only was he very knowledgeable in sharing the history of all the places we went and tell us great stories but he was very attentive to our needs. For lunch he asked us what we wanted to eat (didn't take us to a friend with a kick back) and then took us to a local place. He ordered for us and even went to another nearby shop to get our preferred beverage. After our tour was over he even helped us find something else to do and then personally escorted us across the city to the show. Best of all, there was no pressure to buy anything or stops at shops.
We really enjoyed our day and highly recommend Joseph.
Review provided by Viator
