BusDa:Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Hutong&Summer Palace Tour

8 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Discover Beijing’s spiritual heart and timeless charm on this full-day city tour that combines the Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Hutong alleys, and Summer Palace. you’ll explore four of Beijing’s most captivating landmarks in one seamless journey.
Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Wander through its grand architecture and peaceful gardens as your guide shares stories of imperial rituals and ancient symbolism. Continue to the Lama Temple, the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, filled with vibrant colors, incense fragrance, and a majestic 18-meter Maitreya Buddha statue.
After a traditional local lunch, step into the old Beijing Hutongs, where narrow alleys, courtyard homes, and friendly locals reveal the soul of the city’s history. End your day at the magnificent Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design featuring serene lakes, pavilions, and gardens once reserved for emperors.

What's Included

Entrance ticket to the Lama Temple
Airconditioned tour bus during the tour (if option selected)
English speaking tour guide
Entrance ticket to the Summer Palace
Private tour with hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Entrance ticket to the Temple of Heaven
Tips for the tour guide
Other personal expences
Imperial Waterway Cruise in Summer Palace

Meeting and pickup

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

Subway station TIANTANDONGMEN -Exit A2. Notes: Take Subway Line 5, and get off at the TIANTANDONGMEN Station, Coming out of the Exit A2 is the gathering point. (Chinese address for taxi driver : 天坛东门地铁站A2出口). Your guide will be holding a "busda" signboard.

OR
Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends in a different location. You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.

Itinerary

Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1

    Begin your journey at the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most sacred imperial landmarks and a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture. As you walk through the expansive park, your professional English-speaking guide will share stories of how emperors once came here to pray for good harvests and divine blessings. Admire the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a stunning triple-gabled circular building made entirely of wood without a single nail, symbolizing the harmony between heaven and earth. You’ll also explore the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Echo Wall, where a whisper can travel magically from one end to the other. Beyond the temples, enjoy watching local Beijingers practicing Tai Chi, dancing, or playing traditional instruments — a glimpse into everyday life in the capital. With BusDa, you’ll travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy a no-shopping, no-detour experience focused purely on culture and discovery.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Lama Temple (Yonghegong)

    Discover the serenity and spiritual grandeur of the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Beijing’s most famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery. As you enter its grand red gates, your English-speaking guide will introduce you to the temple’s fascinating history — once an imperial residence of a Qing prince, later transformed into a sacred Buddhist site visited by countless devotees. Walk through a series of beautifully decorated halls filled with incense fragrance, golden statues, and intricate Tibetan murals. Marvel at the five-meter bronze Buddha, the elegant Hall of Harmony and Peace, and the awe-inspiring 26-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood — a Guinness World Record masterpiece. Listen to the rhythmic chanting of monks and watch believers offer incense and prayers, immersing yourself in a peaceful spiritual atmosphere. The temple’s fusion of Han, Manchu, and Tibetan architectural styles makes it not only a place of worship but also a living museum of culture

    1 hour Admission ticket included
  • 3

    Step back in time and discover the charm of Beijing’s ancient Hutongs, the narrow alleyways that have preserved the city’s traditional lifestyle for centuries. Your English-speaking guide will lead you through these winding lanes lined with old courtyard houses (Siheyuan), sharing stories of old Beijing families, local customs, and the deep cultural heritage hidden behind gray brick walls. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively alleys, where daily life unfolds — locals chatting, children playing, and vendors selling snacks like jianbing and baozi. Visit a local family’s courtyard home to experience authentic Beijing hospitality and gain insight into how generations have lived here for hundreds of years. You’ll also stop at Yandai Xiejie or Shichahai Lake, where the modern meets the traditional, offering plenty of photo opportunities. Learn how these historic neighborhoods balance old-world charm with the rhythm of contemporary life.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

    Immerse yourself in imperial elegance as you explore the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Beijing’s most enchanting attractions. Your English-speaking guide will lead you through this vast royal garden, once the summer retreat of emperors seeking peace and coolness away from the Forbidden City. Learn about its fascinating history, delicate design, and the stories of Empress Dowager Cixi, who once ruled China from this tranquil paradise. Stroll along the Long Corridor, the world’s longest painted walkway, decorated with thousands of intricate artworks. Admire the Marble Boat, the 17-Arch Bridge, and the stunning views of Kunming Lake, where willow trees dance with the breeze. If you join during summer, you can even take an optional boat ride across the lake, capturing the serene beauty of the surrounding hills and temples. As you wander through pavilions, temples, and gardens, your guide will share the symbolism behind traditional Chinese landscaping

    3 hours Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Yida Travel

Tags

Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Architecture Tours
Cultural Tours
Car Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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