Day 1 Hotel-Optional Transportation-Beijing
All day
The first day is the gathering day in Beijing. Tourists from all over the world will arrive in Beijing at their own time. China-TravelNote will arrange a pick-up service.
Note: After being picked up at the station, you will be taken to Manxinfu Siheyuan. The tour guide will assist you in checking in, and you will be free to explore the area.
When most people think of Beijing, their first impression is of the ancient palaces of emperors and generals, with their red walls, yellow tiles, painted buildings, and carved beams. But have you ever seen Beijing in autumn? Lao She said, "Autumn in Peking is more vibrant than heaven." Yu Dafu also wrote in "Autumn in the Old Capital": "Autumn, this northern autumn, if I could keep it, I would give up two-thirds of my life for a fraction of a third." It wasn't until I saw the red walls and autumnal yellow of the capital that I finally understood why the autumn colors that fill the city are so elusive that they can't be kept by the human world.
·night
In the evening, walk from the hotel (about 400 meters) to Qianmen Sanqingyuan Deyun Club to listen to crosstalk.
Sanqingyuan is one of Beijing's oldest theaters, originally built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1796). Along with Guangde Tower and Guanghe Tower, it's known as one of the "Three Great Theaters of Beijing." Once the cradle of Peking Opera, masters like Cheng Changgeng and Tan Xinpei performed here, and Mei Lanfang also made his debut there. The current building, rebuilt near its original location based on historical materials, closely preserves the ancient style of the theater, creating a charming atmosphere and a timeless charm.
Sanqing Garden Deyun Club is one of the "holy places" for Beijing crosstalk fans and Deyun Club fans. It is not just a garden for listening to crosstalk, but also carries a profound history and culture.
Day 2: Manxin Siheyuan - Tiananmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan
08:00
Today's itinerary: Tianmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan
Depart from the hotel in the morning to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Treasure House
Tiananmen Square: the heart of the Republic and a magnificent epic. It bears witness to the flames of history and the glory of the times, and carries the immortal memories and glorious dreams of a nation.
The Palace Museum: Autumn in the Forbidden City is indeed different from other autumns. When you stand in the Forbidden City and travel back a hundred years, when the golden ginkgo trees, the vermilion palace walls and the azure sky are intertwined, this six-hundred-year-old Forbidden City loses its majesty and puts on a gentle and dazzling robe, which is breathtakingly beautiful.
The Treasure House: The Treasure House is an epic of imperial craftsmanship and priceless treasures. It preserves the glorious memories of the Forbidden City, and each exhibit bears witness to the power, aesthetics, and ingenuity of the empire at its peak.
Lunch: Recommended to dine at Ice House Restaurant
2:30 PM
Jingshan Park: Situated at the commanding heights of Beijing's central axis, overlooking the Forbidden City to the south and the Bell and Drum Towers to the north, Jingshan Park is a landscape garden steeped in centuries of history and imperial memory. It offers not only panoramic views of the Forbidden City but also an urban oasis blending natural beauty with cultural heritage. Jingshan's history and culture, along with its autumn colors, offer a unique and captivating spectacle.
Dinner: Recommended: Four Seasons Minfu Roast Duck
Return to hotel after dinner
Day 3: Manxinfu Courtyard - Summer Palace - Queen Mother's Tea Break - Peking University's Unnamed Lake - Hotel
08:30
Today's itinerary: Summer Palace - Empress Dowager's Tea Break - Peking University's Unname Lake
In the morning, depart from Manxin Hotel to the Summer Palace - Queen Mother Tea Break
The Summer Palace: This former imperial garden, formerly the Qingyi Garden, meticulously constructed during the Qianlong reign, is a testament to the beauty of the garden. Since childhood, I've been taught the phrase, "The garden is shone with the radiance of the sun and moon, its scenery surpassing the work of nature"—a sentiment that originally captured the grand view garden described by Cao Xueqin, yet I often mistakenly remembered it as the Summer Palace. With the vast ripples of Kunming Lake as a mirror, the lush green peaks of Longevity Mountain as a screen, it draws on the graceful elegance of the West Lake south of the Yangtze River and embraces the exquisite beauty of gardens from around the world. Truly a masterpiece of "embracing the mountains and embracing the water, meticulously constructed, countless labors were required to complete its construction." Every scene and object reflects the fusion of ingenuity and natural craftsmanship, resembling a truly immersive dream city.
Empress Dowager's Tea Break: This is more than just a simple tea break; it's an immersive, time-traveling cultural experience. It recreates the Empress Dowager Cixi ("Old Buddha") enjoying the scenery, tea, and dim sum at the Summer Palace and other imperial gardens, emphasizing the exquisiteness of "imperial" creations and the leisurely atmosphere of "recreation."
2:30 PM
Peking University's Unnamed Lake: Peking University is more than just an institution of learning; it is a symbol and spiritual totem of Chinese culture. Located in the northwest of Beijing, adjacent to the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace, it embraces the beauty of nature and continues a millennium of cultural heritage and character. The rippling waters of Unnamed Lake, with the twin reflections of the Boya Pagoda, and the classically styled library, together form the captivating spiritual image of Peking University—"a tower and lake." This place is not only a haven of learning for students, but also a sanctuary of humanities dreamt of by countless individuals.
Day 4 Hotel - Mutianyu Great Wall - Hotel
All day
Today's itinerary: Mutianyu Great Wall - including cable car access
Morning departure from hotel Mutianyu Great Wall full day
Mutianyu Great Wall: Mutianyu is the most magnificent and beautiful section of the Great Wall of China in Beijing. Hidden within the lush green mountains of the Yanshan Mountains, it boasts densely packed watchtowers and strategic passes. Its unique architectural style and magnificent natural scenery have earned it the reputation of "Mutianyu is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall."
Autumn in Mutianyu is a grand oil painting created by heaven and earth.
The mountains are a vast canvas, painted with the richest colors of autumn wind. Gilded ginkgo trees, crimson maple leaves, and verdant pines and cypresses intertwine and overlap, as if an Olympian palette has been overturned. Each stroke is rich and fiery, a splendid spectacle of absolute beauty.
The towering Great Wall becomes the painting's most tranquil ink line, its vigorous brushstrokes winding across the vibrant mountain ridges. The watchtowers are pauses in the painting, standing silently amidst the vibrant colors, guarding the passage of time for centuries.
Day 5 Hotel - Lama Temple - Guanghua Temple - Fucheng Road - Hotel
08:30
Today's itinerary: Lama Temple - Guanghua Temple - Fucheng Road
Depart from the hotel in the morning to Lama Temple
The Yonghe Palace, known as the "Dragon's Lair," has a remarkable history that dates back to the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It was the residence of Prince Yong before Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne. After his ascension, the former residence was upgraded to a temporary palace, earning the name "Yonghe Palace." Furthermore, as the Qianlong Emperor was born there, the palace produced two emperors at once, becoming the "former residence of the Qing emperor." As such, the Yonghe Palace enjoyed the highest imperial standards: its yellow-tiled roof and crimson walls encircle it, its architectural rank rivaling that of the Forbidden City, its grandeur and splendour unparalleled.
In the ninth year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, the Qing court, a staunch believer in Tibetan Buddhism, officially converted the site into a lama temple. From then on, the Lama Temple ceased to be a hidden abode and became a sacred Buddhist sanctuary, a place of reciting scriptures and burning incense. As the nation's highest-ranking Buddhist temple during the mid-to-late Qing dynasty, it not only carried the legacy of two generations of emperors but also became a crucial symbol of Han-Tibetan cultural exchange and national unity. Come make a wish at the Lama Temple.
2:30 PM
Guanghua Temple Ruins: A ginkgo tree gleams golden, its leaves dancing in the autumn breeze. The Guanghua Temple Ruins are a tranquil retreat steeped in time. Once a place of vibrant incense and the melodious melody of bells and chimes, now silence reigns. Only the ruins and whispers of wind remain, evoking a nostalgic memory and a sense of the impermanence of life. Seize the autumn in Peking and visit Guanghua Temple to admire the thousand-year-old ginkgo trees.
Fucheng Road: Beijing's Fucheng Road is more than just a major thoroughfare. Running from Sanlihe Road in the east to Dinghui Bridge on the West Fourth Ring Road in the west, it traverses Haidian and Xicheng districts, forming a vital axis that blends the capital's historical context, modern urban functions, and the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.
Day 6 Hotel - Xiangshan - National Botanical Garden - Bird's Nest and Water Cube - Hotel
08:30
Today's itinerary: Xiangshan - National Botanical Garden - Bird's Nest and Water Cube
Depart from the hotel to Xiangshan in the morning
The autumn in Xiangshan is a feast of colors that attracts national attention and is Beijing’s warmest and most magnificent autumn declaration.
After Frost Descent, the chill deepens, and tens of thousands of sumac, maple, and red maple trees seem to ignite simultaneously, painting the rolling hills into a raging flame. This isn't simply a red, but a vast oil painting interwoven with crimson, deep orange, bright yellow, golden brown, and lush green. Against the azure sky, it exudes a breathtaking vitality.
2:00 PM
The National Botanical Garden, located at the foot of Fragrant Hill in western Beijing, is Beijing's first state-approved botanical garden. Formed by the merger of the South Garden (formerly the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences) and the North Garden (formerly the Beijing Botanical Garden), it is a nationally recognized comprehensive botanical garden integrating scientific research, plant conservation, gardening, and ecological leisure, truly a living botanical museum.
The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube: The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, one strong and one soft, stand side by side at the northern end of Beijing's central axis. They are not only eternal witnesses to the glory of the 2008 Olympics, but also symbols of modern Beijing and its future vitality. In autumn, the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube possess a unique gentleness.
Day 7 Hotel - Temple of Heaven - Zizhuyuan Park - Wuta Temple - Hotel
08:30
Today's itinerary: Temple of Heaven - Zizhuyuan Park - Wuta Temple
Depart from the hotel to the Temple of Heaven in the morning
Autumn at the Temple of Heaven is a symphony of ancient ritual and natural rhythm. When golden ginkgo leaves blanket the Danbi Bridge, and the six-hundred-year-old cypress trees and red walls and blue tiles are bathed in the autumn sun, this sacred altar, built for worshipping heaven, sheds its solemnity and takes on the warmest, most poetic splendor of the year. No longer a cold complex of buildings, it becomes a magnificent venue where one can feel the breath of nature and the intersection of past and present.
2:00 PM
Zizhuyuan Park: Zizhuyuan Park is a Jiangnan-style landscape garden in Beijing, known for its bamboo. While lacking the grandeur of imperial gardens, it possesses a unique elegance hidden in the bustling city and the gentle charm of a northern water village. It is a leisurely, down-to-earth urban garden cherished by veteran Beijingers.
Five-Pagoda Temple: A hidden haven in the bustling city of Beijing, Five-Pagoda Temple, known as the "Angkor Wat of Beijing," boasts its unique, exotic charm and precious stone carvings. While its true name is Zhenjue Temple, it's more popularly known as the "Five-Pagoda Temple" after its iconic structure, the Vajra Throne Pagoda.
Day 8 Hotel - Tanzhe Temple - Dajue Temple - Hotel
08:00
Today's itinerary: Tanzhe Temple - Dajue Temple
Depart from the hotel in the morning to Tanzhe Temple
Tanzhe Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Beijing, with a history spanning over 1,700 years. There's a popular saying, "Tanzhe Temple came before Beijing." It's not only a sacred Buddhist site with a millennium of uninterrupted worship, but also a treasure trove of landscape gardens and ancient architecture hidden deep within the Western Hills. Key Highlights: The Heritage and Elegance of the Millennium Temple. The "Emperor Trees"—A Millennium Witness to History. The two ginkgo trees in front of the Pilu Pavilion at the temple, the "Emperor Tree" in the east and the "Supporting King Tree" in the west, are over a thousand years old. In late autumn, their massive crowns, resembling a canopy, blanket the trees in golden yellow, and fallen leaves blanket the courtyard, creating Tanzhe Temple's most breathtaking and renowned autumn spectacle.
2:30 PM
Dajue Temple: Dajue Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, is renowned for its unique scenery, including the fragrance of orchids, Ming and Qing magnolias, thousand-year-old ginkgo trees, and ancient vines and cypresses. It is a secluded mountain and water temple in western Beijing, steeped in the elegance of literati. Its charm goes far beyond a religious site. Its blend of ancient trees, clear springs, exquisite tea, calligraphy, and architecture has made it an ideal spiritual retreat for scholars and urbanites alike. Escape the bustle of tour groups, immersing you in an immersive, tranquil energy. It invites you to slow down, converse with yourself over a cup of tea, and experience the flow of time and the beauty of life beneath the shadows of thousand-year-old trees.
Day 9 Hotel - Prince Gong's Mansion - Shichahai - Rickshaw - Station Drop-off
08:00
Today's itinerary: Prince Gong's Mansion - Shichahai - Rickshaw
Depart from the hotel in the morning to Prince Gong's Mansion
Prince Gong's Mansion: Find the Chinese character "福" (happiness) at Prince Gong's Mansion. Located on the shores of Shichahai in Beijing, Prince Gong's Mansion was once the residence of the corrupt official Heshen during the Qianlong Emperor's reign, and later became the official residence of Prince Gong Yixin. It witnessed the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty and is known as "Prince Gong's Mansion, half of Qing Dynasty history." Prince Gong's Mansion is also known as the "Garden of Ten Thousand Blessings." Visit Prince Gong's Mansion and check out the Shufangzhai (Shufangzhai) from the film "My Fair Princess."
1:30 PM
Shichahai, a jewel-like expanse nestled in the heart of Beijing's old city, comprises three lakes: Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. Unlike the formality of imperial gardens or the sculpted elegance of urban parks, it resembles a living version of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," a perfect blend of urban life, historical elegance, and urban leisure, offering a unique experience of the essence of old Beijing.
Rickshaw Experience: Sit in a slowly moving rickshaw, and your perspective is higher than walking, but slower than driving. You can more leisurely observe the blue bricks and gray tiles, doorposts and stone carvings, and the daily life of playing chess and chatting in the hutongs, as if you were in a movie about old Beijing.
