5-Day Beijing Discovery Tour

Meet your driver at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to a centrally located hotel in Beijing's Dongcheng District. After check-in and time to rest, walk along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, one of the capital's best-known shopping avenues. Browse modern stores and local snack stalls before a welcome dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, with both spicy and mild dishes available. End the evening with an easy stroll beneath Wangfujing's city lights and return to the hotel for a comfortable first night in Beijing.

Begin at Tiananmen Square in the morning, then enter the Forbidden City for a guided walk through the ceremonial courtyards and imperial halls of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Continue to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the palace roofs and Beijing's historic central axis. After lunch featuring traditional Beijing cuisine in a courtyard-style restaurant, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. The evening is free, with an optional Peking Opera performance available on request.

Travel by private vehicle to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, known for its restored watchtowers and forested mountain scenery. Ride the cable car up and enjoy a guided walk along the ramparts, with time for photographs and a scenic lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tombs area and follow the Sacred Way past historic stone figures. Return to central Beijing for a rickshaw tour through the hutong alleys, visit a traditional courtyard home and share dinner with a local family before returning to the hotel.

Explore the Summer Palace in the morning, including the landscaped shores of Kunming Lake, the Long Corridor and, when conditions permit, a short boat ride. After lunch near the royal gardens, continue to the 798 Art District, where former industrial buildings now house galleries, design studios and cafés. Later, browse Panjiayuan Antique Market for handicrafts and souvenirs. Finish the day with an local Peking duck dinner at a respected local restaurant. An optional Chinese acrobatics or kung fu show can be arranged for the evening.

Enjoy a leisurely hotel breakfast and free time for a final walk or last-minute shopping. Depending on your flight schedule, visit the Silk Market or the historic Dashilar commercial street with your guide, then sample Beijing-style zhajiangmian noodles for lunch. Return to the hotel to check out and meet your private transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport. Your guide will assist with the departure arrangements and say farewell as your five-day Beijing tour comes to an end.