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Experience Beijing in a day: Tiananmen Square’s grandeur, Forbidden City secrets, hutong bites, and a kite or Peking Opera workshop, finishing with sunset views and night vibes at Shichahai.

Highlights

• Stand on vast Tiananmen Square and learn the stories behind its monuments.
• Explore hidden halls of the Forbidden City and uncover imperial secrets.
• Taste classic hutong flavors and watch a chef’s “eighteen folds” bun demo.
• Join a kite-making or Peking Opera workshop for a hands-on cultural dive.
• Capture sunset over Shichahai’s lakes with lantern-lit alleys and live music.

Description

Spend a full, unforgettable day exploring the heart of Beijing, where imperial history and local life blend seamlessly. Your morning begins at Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of modern China and the largest city square in the world. Stand where historic events unfolded and feel the vast openness framed by the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum. Your guide will reveal the epic stories behind the bas-reliefs of the Monument to the People’s Heroes and explain the square’s unique role as the nation’s “heart.” Next, walk directly into the Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum. Follow a carefully planned route along the imperial central axis and into lesser-known courtyards. Marvel at the three Great Halls while learning the mystery of the eleven roof beasts guarding the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Step into the beautifully preserved Shoukang Palace, once the residence of famous imperial concubines, and discover treasures hidden in the quieter East and West Six Palaces. Your guide shares insider details that bring centuries of royal life vividly to life. By midday you’ll wander through a maze of historic hutongs, Beijing’s traditional alleyways, for a self-arranged lunch break filled with local flavors. Recommended stops include a private siheyuan courtyard restaurant serving secret-recipe roast duck, or sweet treats like pea-flour pudding and imperial milk custard once favored in the Qing court. Watch a master demonstrate the intricate “eighteen folds” technique of hand-pleated buns for a true culinary spectacle. In the afternoon, embrace Beijing’s living heritage with a hands-on cultural workshop of your choice. • Kite Studio: craft a classic “sand swallow” kite under the guidance of a fourth-generation artisan, learning the delicate balance of form and airflow behind this centuries-old folk art. • Peking Opera Experience: dress in resplendent phoenix coronet and flowing robes for a professional photo shoot, then practice graceful water-sleeve movements and sing a short excerpt from the famous opera Farewell My Concubine. As evening falls, head to Shichahai, a historic lake district once lined with imperial gardens. Pause at the famed Yinding Bridge to catch the sun dipping behind the distant hills, a scene celebrated as one of the “Eight Great Sights of Old Beijing.” Stroll past the intricate bat-shaped lattice windows of Prince Gong’s Mansion and uncover the hidden symbolism of “ten thousand blessings.” Night brings a relaxed finale: glide through lantern-lit lanes in a traditional rickshaw, sip tea beside the water while musicians perform Beijing ballads, or step into a cozy lakeside bar for a gentle nightcap. From sunrise to shimmering dusk, this carefully curated itinerary immerses you in Beijing’s imperial grandeur, folk traditions, and vibrant street life—an ideal one-day journey through the living heart of China.

Includes

Professional English-speaking guide service Forbidden City admission ticket Hutong intangible heritage craft experience or Beijing Opera experience (choose one) Travel accident insurance All cultural experience material fees

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund