Highlights
- The Temple of Heaven beyond the history, what it actually means to locals today
- Beijing breakfast and Chinese-grown coffee with a local Beijinger
- 3,000 years of Beijing history over your first drink of the day
- Eat from vendors who've been cooking the same dishes for decades
- No set menu, no commission — you choose what to try, vendors keep every penny
Description
WHAT WE BELIEVE
· A Day In Beijing is an independent one-woman operation, created and run by a born-and-raised Beijinger, to connect our local independent businesses and communities to the world beyond the VPN. We're (I am!) new here, but we're not new at this — 5/5 ratings across every platform and every product so far.
· You have 100% control over what to purchase and what to try throughout the experiences; you pay vendors directly. We take zero commission, zero markup.
· And we dream big, we want to do our bits to challenge the colonial stereotype of Beijing, of China, through our heartfelt, carefully curated cultural experiences.
· We aim to create a conscious and ethical way to travel to this city. Beijing, explained by Beijingers.
· More experiences, cultural context and travelling tips on our Instagram @a_day_in_beijing if you want to explore the city independently!
WHY THIS TOUR IS DIFFERENT
· Most visitors spend an hour inside Temple of Heaven and leave. We spend it in the streets around it, where the landmark and the neighbourhood actually meet.
· Your Beijinger guide comes from this community, and she'll show you the history from her neighbourhood, not from textbooks.
· No set menu and no commission. You choose what to try, pay the vendors directly, and every penny stays with them. All dietary needs welcome!
THIS TOUR IS FOR YOU IF
· You're uncomfortable with tours that treat local communities like a backdrop
· You want to hear the story from someone who's part of it
· You like going places Google Maps won't take you
· You'd rather have a real conversation than follow a script
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
· We start with a Chinese-grown single-origin pour-over or a dirty coffee; Yunnan province produces some of the best beans in Asia and most visitors have no idea. Or to start with a Beijing-brewed craft beer if it's past noon, when the pub opens!
· Then your guide will walk you through 3,000 years of Beijing history while you enjoy your beverage — the dynasties, the invasions, the revolutions, and the myths.
· A walk through the streets surrounding the Temple of Heaven, past the morning tai chi crowds, the water calligraphy writers, and the corner vendors who've been selling breakfast on the same spot for decades.
· Eat classic Beijing food from the stalls that's been cooking the same dishes for decades — steamed buns, silken tofu in savoury broth, caramelised fried dough, slow-braised stew. You choose what to try.
· The history of the neighbourhood — how five imperial altars formed a cosmic grid across Beijing, why this area was always working-class, and what happened to the streets around the Temple decade by decade.
· If time allows, we finish at Hongqiao Market — born in 1979 as farmers selling vegetables against the Temple wall, now the world's largest pearl market.
Private experiences avaliable, a more intimate version, tailored to your group — flexible pace, deeper conversation, customised focus.
Includes
Start at the local cafe where serves Chinese coffee
Or a local pub where serves Beijing-brewed craft Beer
Walk through historic communities and neighbourhoods
Visting multiple classic Beijing palces
Venture into Hongqiao Market and Tianya Market
Excludes
All food and drinks are paid directly to the vendors by you, with no markups
Any personal purchases are at your discretion
Gratuities for your guide are not included and are always appreciated
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
