Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Temple of Heaven, Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050 China
After pickup from your hotel, travel by private, climate-controlled vehicle to your first stop: the Temple of Heaven. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed complex, whose origins date to the 15th century. See the ornate altars and halls, and hear how China's Ming and Qing emperors performed rituals and sacrifices here to ensure bountiful crops. Stroll around the gardens to see Beijing’s older citizens socializing, singing, and performing tai chi.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Liulichang Street, Hepingmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100051 China
Then drive on to Liulichang Street, a lane lined with grey-stoned Qing-style (1644-1911) buildings housing antique book, curio, and art shops.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), No.44 Jingshanxi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100009 China
View some of the artisans at work, and then visit royal Jingshan Park to enjoy bird’s-eye views of the Forbidden City and downtown Beijing. Learn how China’s last Ming emperor hanged himself here in 1644 as enemy forces neared the city.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan), No.1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034 China
Then continue to Behai Park, home to Fangshan, Beijing’s oldest imperial restaurant. Admire the richly decorated interior and enjoy a sumptuous lunch/Dinner featuring dishes once favored by the Qing-era emperors.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bell and Drum Towers, Di'anmen Wai Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China
Continue to the nearby Bell and Drum Towers, and watch the famous drum-beating ceremony that recalls how the original drum in the Drum Tower was beaten to mark the time in imperial days. Lastly, ride a rickshaw through a hutong to a traditional family home. Here, learn a handicraft like calligraphy, clay sculpture, mask or snuff bottle painting, Chinese yoyo, or paper-cutting.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes