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Discover Beijing's imperial heart and authentic hutong life on this private spring day tour, exploring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Shichahai's historic lanes.
Experience the essence of Beijing in a single day on this private spring tour. Your journey begins with a hotel pickup in downtown Beijing, followed by a visit to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square. Next, step into the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace that served as the seat of power for 500 years. After a lunch break (a la carte, at your own expense), you'll explore the Shichahai area on a two-hour hutong tour, winding through ancient alleyways that reveal the city's traditional courtyard homes and local culture. This tour offers a perfect blend of monumental history and intimate local life, all with the flexibility of a private guide.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.
Pick up from your hotel in downtown Beijing and head to Tiananmen Square ( 40 minutes ), the largest city square of such kind in the world. After visiting Tiananmen Square, move on to the Forbidden City ( 2 hours ), also known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum. The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China.
After finishing the tour of the Forbidden City, exit from its north gate and enter Jingshan Park ( 40 minutes). Jingshan is just north of the Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing. First as an imperial garden, it is now a public park, known as Jingshan Park.
The 45-metre high man-made hill was built in the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty entirely from the soil dug from the moats of the Imperial Palace and nearby canals. The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Chongzhen, committed suicide by hanging himself here in 1644. Jingshan is also famous for its peonies. The best time for viewing the more than 200 varieties of peonies inside the park is from late April to mid-May.
After lunch (a la carte, order & pay on your own), drive to Shichahai area for hutong tour ( 2 hours ).
ascend the 67-meter high and two-story Drum Towe r dating from 1420, bringing you back to the old Beijing by seeing the big drum tower and having bird's eye view of the surrounding communities of hutongs and siheyuan - existing traditional courtyards in Beijing.
Then walk south to Dianmenwai Dajie ( north of Drum Tower), turning onto Yandaixiejie (Tobacco Pipe Lean Street ), a quaint 800-year-old hutong located directly north of Yinding Bridge between Qianhai Lake and Houhai Lake, used to be well-known for sellers of long-stemmed pipes, hence the name. Standing on the Silver Ingot Bridge ( Yinding Bridge ) , a narrow channel joining Qianhai Lake and the Houhai Lake, the hub of Shichhai area with surrounding quiet hutongs.
Finally， you will take a 30-minute pedicab drive from the Silver Ingot Bridge through the zigzag and narrow alleys or hutongs. Two people share one rickshaw. You are not supposed to tip the pedicab driver since the tour cost includes the tips. At the end of the half hour rickshaw, your will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00pm
Lunch: A la carte
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Private air conditioned vehicle | Gratuities to drivers and guides. |
| Entrance fees as listed | Travel insurance for your coverage of injury or accident |
| English Speaking tour guide | Lunch |
| The above private transfer is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. |
English
| Travelling Party | Tour Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $145 |
| 2 persons | $100 |
| 3 - 5 persons | $95 |
| 6 - 9 Persons | $75 |
| 10 persons and above | $55 |
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