Day 1 Various locations - Beijing★Beijing Assembly Day
All day
The first day is a full day of gathering in Beijing. Tourists from all over the world will meet at designated hotels in Beijing according to their own schedule. After checking in, please submit your "China-TravelNote + Name" form at the hotel front desk. You will then have free time at your own leisure. Please exercise due caution during this free time. When most people think of the Imperial Capital, their first impression is of the palaces of ancient emperors and generals, with their red walls, yellow tiles, painted beams, and carved pillars. It's a fusion of courtyard houses and high-rise buildings, and authentic Beijing snacks like douzhi (soy bean juice), sausage, fried tripe, fried liver, and ma xiao (small snacks). As the heart of China, this seemingly small city on the map not only carries thousands of years of history and culture, but also embodies a vibrant tapestry of modern art. In the Imperial Capital, let's experience the charm of old Beijing's hutongs, where "a pipe illuminates the setting sun"; explore the historical ups and downs of "Prince Gong's Mansion, half the history of the Qing Dynasty"; experience the vibrant artistic atmosphere of 798, a vibrant cultural exchange; and explore the decay of empires and the cultural divides beneath the ruins...
Recommended for tourists with ample time (16:00-20:00) to enjoy a panoramic view of Zhongnanhai, take a rowboat ride on the shores of Shichahai, enjoy afternoon tea, stroll through Houhai Bar Street, and listen to authentic crosstalk.
Day 2 Tiananmen Square → Palace Museum → Jingshan
All day
Morning: Around 8:00 AM, after breakfast at the hotel, we boarded a bus for Tiananmen Square, the heart of the nation. Every day, the five-star red flag rises, welcoming countless visitors from home and abroad. Surrounding the square are iconic landmarks such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and Tiananmen Square. Here, we witness history, from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, and on to the powerful New China of today.
9:00-12:00 After crossing Tiananmen Square, we'll take a closer look at our first World Heritage Site, the Palace Museum. Experience the lives of past emperors from a unique perspective. Climb the Meridian Gate Tower for a bird's-eye view of the world, and explore the Corner Towers to discover the wonders of ancient architecture. From the Golden Throne Hall to the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque, from the "Chuxiu Palace" where Empress Dowager Cixi lived to the "Yanxi Palace" where Wei Yingluo lived. Admire the rare and precious plants cultivated by the royal family in the Imperial Gardens, and feel the refreshing breeze from the Imperial View Pavilion.
Noon: Your tour leader will lead you through the "Five Gates of the Emperor": Tiananmen, symbolizing national security; Duanmen, symbolizing proper attire; and Wumen, symbolizing the Emperor's national gate. Upon entering the Forbidden City, you'll first be taken to the Ice Cellar Restaurant for lunch. Once the imperial ice cellar, it's now a specialty restaurant, perfect for a relaxing lunch break from the summer heat.
A special gift is the [Treasure House]. This wonderful palace in the Forbidden City has attracted countless tourists to admire rare treasures.
Afternoon, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, we'll ascend Jingshan Mountain, the mountain facing us, from Shenwu Gate. Once the highest point in Beijing, Emperor Qianlong ascended, commanding a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. From the central Wanchun Pavilion, we'll witness a panoramic view of the Forbidden City at sunset, a breathtaking spectacle. From the heart of the city, atop Jingshan Mountain, we'll call out for love in the heart of Beijing.
Day 3 Badaling Great Wall → Local Specialty Meal → Xishan National Forest Park
All day
Morning: 8:00-12:00 After breakfast, we'll depart for our second UNESCO World Heritage site: the Badaling Great Wall. Construction began in 1505, the 18th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty, and took over 80 years to complete. It's the best-preserved and most robust section of the Ming Great Wall. Badaling, situated at the strategic point of Guangou and the northern entrance to Juyongguan, has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times, earning the saying, "The most dangerous part of Juyongguan lies not in the pass but in Badaling." As the core of the ancient defense system, Badaling witnessed numerous significant historical events, including Qi Jiguang's defense of Jizhen and the Battle of Nankou during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Noon: Enjoy a traditional northern iron pot stew at a farmhouse in the suburbs of Beijing. Local river fish and garfish, paired with tofu, vermicelli noodles, and a variety of vegetables, are simmered in a rich broth and are a delicious companion to rice. Add a sweet pancake for a nutritious and healthy, nourishing and delicious combination.
Note: If you need additional meals or drinks, please pay for them yourself.
Afternoon: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM After lunch, we'll take a short journey to the renowned Xishan National Forest Park. What's the perfect way to experience autumn in Beijing without seeing the crimson leaves? Xishan is a renowned mountain range in Beijing, and the renowned Fragrant Hills crimson leaves are part of it. Compared to Fragrant Hills, this area boasts even more stunning scenery, fewer tourists, and a vast expanse of vibrant crimson leaves. Adhering to China-TravelNote's consistent approach, we'll take you to discover these stunning, untouched wonders.
Day 4 Prince Gong's Mansion → Liuyin Street → Huguo Temple Snack Street → Temple of Heaven
All day
Morning: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, take a bus to Prince Gong's Mansion. This well-preserved Qing Dynasty palace was once the official residence of the corrupt official Heshen. The mansion is incredibly magnificent, even more exquisite than the Forbidden City, and even features a treasure house dedicated to rare treasures. It's said that tens of thousands of bats live in the mansion. Let's explore!
Noon: 11:00-1:00 PM After leaving Prince Gong's Mansion, we passed Liuyin Street, the residence of the founding marshal, and Fu Jen Catholic University, the predecessor of Beijing Normal University. We continued to Huguo Temple Snack Street, where we enjoyed authentic Beijing snacks. We enjoyed donkey rolls, aiwowo, and pea yellow, as well as butter fried cakes, palace cheese, and mending meat pie. If you're brave enough, you can also try the unusual yet beloved douzhi (soybean juice).
Afternoon: From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, we arrived at the third UNESCO World Heritage Site on our Beijing trip: the Temple of Heaven. Entering through the south gate, we first encountered the Circular Mound Altar, the true Temple of Heaven. We listened as the instructor described the grandeur of the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, recreating the splendor of the past. We then explored the Echo Wall to see if it still had the same echoing effect as it did back then, while the instructor analyzed the acoustic principles behind it. We wandered through the Temple of Heaven in the golden autumn, absorbing the golden beauty.
Around 16:00 [Drawing Old Beijing Rabbit God] Follow the folk culture inheritors who have lived in the hutongs since childhood and draw your own Rabbit God. Experience the fun of authentic Beijing culture. After the work is completed, you can take it back as a souvenir of your trip to Beijing.
Day 5 Yuanmingyuan → Summer Palace → Beijing
All day
Morning: 8:00-11:00 After breakfast, we board a bus for a tour of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). Once a renowned imperial summer palace, it was once the Garden of Ten Thousand Gardens. Today, devastated by the British, French, and Eight-Nation Alliance, the Old Summer Palace remains a ruin. Yet, a century later, it retains a surprising tranquility, like a weathered old man, indifferent to time. Here, we receive a patriotic education, ensuring we will never forget this profound history. Early in the morning, with few visitors, the Old Summer Palace is exceptionally tranquil and beautiful.
From 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, we will then proceed to the final UNESCO World Heritage site, the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is China's largest and most well-preserved imperial garden, one of China's Four Great Gardens (the others being the Chengde Mountain Resort, Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden, and Suzhou's Lingering Garden). It is also a well-preserved imperial palace and garden, known as a "Royal Garden Museum." It boasts over 3,000 pavilions, terraces, towers, pavilions, corridors, and terraces, along with over 1,600 ancient and valuable trees. Among its landmarks are the Pavilion of Buddhist Incense, the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, Suzhou Street, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, the Garden of Harmonious Fun, and the Grand Theater, all of which have become household names.
Afternoon: Our tour officially concludes at 3:00 PM, and the bus will take you to the Food City at Xiyuan Subway Station. After lunch, you'll take the bus to Beijing South Railway Station or Capital Airport. Other stations and airports can be reached by subway.
End of the activity: The five-day journey passed in a flash. The drop-off will start at around 15:00, first to Beijing South Railway Station and then to Capital International Airport. If you choose to end your return trip in Beijing, the flight time must be after 18:30 and the train time must be after 17:30.
