All Inclusive Private Beijing Tour: Ming Tombs, Sacred Way and Summer Palace

4.7
(12 reviews)

8 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Looking to pack as much history and culture into your Beijing visit? Look no further than the all-inclusive private tour that takes you to the Ming Tombs, Sacred Way, and Summer Palace. Step back in time as you explore the final resting place of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty at the hauntingly beautiful Ming Tombs. Walk along the Sacred Way, lined with stone statues of animals and officials meant to protect the tombs, before heading over to the magnificent Summer Palace - a sprawling complex of gardens, temples, and palaces where emperors once escaped the summer heat. With a knowledgeable guide by your side providing fascinating insights into each site, this tour offers a rich and immersive experience of Beijing's imperial past.

What's Included

Entrance fee
Bottled water
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels within the 4th ring road)
Lunch
Transport by private vehicle
Gratuities
Boat Cruise inside the Summer Palace

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Free pick up including hotels in Beijing within the 5th ring road, if your hotel is out of the city, will have extra cost, you also can travel into city to meet your tour guide

Itinerary

Duration: 8 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)

    Your professional guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Beijing. Sit back and relax as you start your journey to explore the rich imperial history of Beijing.​ Sacred Way​ Upon arrival, you will walk along the Sacred Way. This ancient path is lined with a series of impressive stone statues, including lions, elephants, camels, and officials. These statues were placed here to stand guard and protect the tombs of the emperors. As you stroll along the Sacred Way, your guide will share interesting stories and historical facts about these sculptures and their significance in Chinese imperial culture.

    1 hour Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Dingling Underground Palace

    For Ming Tombs experience, you can choose either Dingling or Changling. If you choose Dingling, you will visit the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses. Dingling is the only tomb among the Ming Tombs that has been excavated so far. You can explore the underground palaces, which are a remarkable feat of ancient architecture. Admire the stone carvings and the grandeur of the burial chambers, learning about the burial customs and the life of the Ming emperors.​ For Changling, it is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Changling is known for its magnificent main hall, the Ling'en Hall. This hall is one of the largest wooden structures in China, built with precious nanmu wood. The hall is filled with historical artifacts and displays, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the Ming Dynasty's power and prosperity.

    1 hour Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

    After visiting the Ming Tombs, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will head to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a vast imperial garden that served as a retreat for the royal family. It seamlessly blends natural landscapes with man - made structures, offering a harmonious beauty. Spanning over 290 hectares, it features a large lake - Kunming Lake, numerous palaces, temples, and pavilions, all of which showcase the pinnacle of Chinese garden design and imperial architecture.​

    1 hour Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

    Entering from the East Palace Gate, the first sight that greets you is the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian). This was the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled state affairs during their stays at the Summer Palace. Admire the grand architecture and the historical relics inside. After that, visit the Hall of Jade Ripples (Yulantang). This was the place where Emperor Guangxu was once imprisoned during the Hundred Days' Reform. Explore the living quarters and learn about the historical events that took place here.

    20 minutes Admission ticket included
  • Long Corridor at the Summer Palace (Pass by)

    Next, walk along the Long Corridor. This 728 - meter - long corridor is decorated with over 14,000 colorful paintings, depicting stories from Chinese history, mythology, and literature. It is a masterpiece of art and engineering.

    Admission ticket free
  • Qingyan Stone Boat (Pass by)

    As you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, you'll spot the Marble Boat, an iconic structure in the Summer Palace. Constructed entirely of marble, this boat - shaped building is 36 meters long. It was originally built in 1755 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and was named Qingyan Fang, symbolizing the stability of the Qing Dynasty, as the stone boat would never sink. The upper deck of the Marble Boat is decorated with Western - style windows and railings, reflecting the influence of Western culture during the late Qing Dynasty.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Finally, you have the option to take a boat ride on Kunming Lake at your own expense. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, with views of the Seventeen - Arch Bridge and the various palaces and temples along the shore. At the end of the tour, your driver and guide will drop you back at your hotel. Reflect on the amazing day filled with the history and culture of Beijing's imperial past.​

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Supplied by Unique Beijing Tours

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Tags

Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Historical Tours
City Tours
Car Tours
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.7 Based on 12 12 reviews
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