The Glory of the Ancient Capital
This tour package is designed for travelers who can arrange their own hotel and airport transfers but need sightseeing with a private guide and vehicle.
During this three-day guided tour, you will not only visit must-see sites to experience the heart of Beijing's history and culture but also immerse yourself in China's splendid past by joining interesting and memorable activities.
This itinerary can be customized to suit your interests, ensuring a memorable experience in Beijing.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Witness the Grandeur of Beijing along its Central Axis
Visit Tian'anmen, the Forbidden City, and the Bell & Drum Tower, linked by Beijing's central axis—one of UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage Sites. Explore the symmetrical layout of the ancient capital.


Climb up upon the Greatest Project of Ancient China
Explore the most beautiful section of the Great Wall, where there are fewer tourists.


Join the Local People for a Morning Excercise in the Temple of Heaven
Admire the incredible architectures of the Temple of Heaven where the emperors prayed for good harvests. But also feel the relaxing lifestyle of the local senior people here.


Unlock the Mystery at Prince Gong's Mansion
Beyond its stunning courtyards and intricate Qing-era architecture lies a captivating mystery: the Treasure Tower's Window Code, a silent puzzle wrapped in centuries of intrigue.


Join an Exquisitely Recreated Chinese Court Feast
Savor imperial cuisine and enjoy captivating dance performances rich in Chinese aesthetics, transporting you to the splendor of ancient China.


Dress in Traditional Han Clothing for a Memorable Photo Shoot
Travel back in time to the Qing Dynasty when touring the historical sites with a traditional dress.


Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Beijing trip
![]() Ethan was a great guide. Who was very kind and helpful. We had a great time in Beijing. He deserves a five star, thank you china highlights more
Mar 2025, Lucrecia
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Mark. The Best Beijing Guide!
![]() He met our every need above and beyond our expectations. My family of 6 had such a wonderful and memorable holiday.He is patient, well-versed and eloquent in both English and Mandarin. My Chinese-speaking parents and my English-dominant children clearly understood all that was explained. He included insights and aspects at each attraction that is not commonly known expanding our appreciation of the places we went. No questions too big and requests too small.. Every meal he arranged over the 5 days was very thoughtfully planned and had such variety that we were spoilt and well fed indeed. We will certainly look for Mark again on our next trip to Beijing and strongly recommend him to all and sundry if they plan to visit Beijing. more
Mar 2025, Ng yik kelly
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Beijing and sights with a local guide
![]() Amazing city with bucket list sights to visit. DO use a travel company and get a guide with transportation! We used Tom at China Highlights and can not recommend him highly enough. He went way above and beyond what we normally get from a guide (our resume is over 50 countries visited, and use guides in most). Very knowledgeable in history and current China, and is attentive to any needs or requests. Sight seeing while negotiating your way around the crazy Beijing driving scene and to the must see sights: Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, etc... is virtually impossible for most travelers. Tom also brought us to places to eat determined by what kind of food we were interested in. We were very surprised at how delicious the food was, and experiencing local's eateries was great for people watching in a very affordable city. I look forward to going back! more
Mar 2025, Mark
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
After breakfast, Starting with Tian'anmen Square You will visit the famous sites on Beijing's central axis, including the Forbidden City.
In the Forbidden City. Your guide will help you explore carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City. In addition to giving a background introduction on architecture, history, and art of the city, your guide will explain to you stories of the famous figures in the 2 dynasties and help you to trace elements of their lives here.
Capture some photos of the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower, which told time in ancient days. Then head to the Qianmen Avenue to imagine the area's past prosperity and feel its renewed vitality. And enjoy a magnificent view of Beijing's central axis from Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower.
Attend a recreated Chinese court banquet in the evening. Experience the profound depth of China's ancient civilization, creating unforgettable memories of Beijing.
In the morning, your guide and driver will take you to the Temple of Heaven – a place where emperors used to pray for a good harvest. The Park is full of life. Immerse yourself in the lives of local people – now and centuries ago – through joining in local elderly people's morning activities.
In the afternoon, hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu. In order to save time, we will arrange round-trip cable car rides to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. On the Wall, you will have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions.
Today, you'll enjoy an immersive tour of the Summer Palace, a royal garden, and the opulent Prince Gong's Mansion. Before visiting these sites, you'll change into traditional Hanfu attire, dressing up as an ancient Chinese person. This fun experience allows you to engage with China's history and culture while capturing unique photos that will hold beautiful memories.
In the morning, visit the Summer Palace. It is where the emperors used to retreat from the summer heat.
Your guide will show you the palace area and the lake area. The best way to do sightseeing at the Palace is by taking a dragon boat on the lake. On the way, you will have a chance to view all the beautiful palaces around the lake.
Then, explore the grandeur of Prince Gong's Mansion, a highlight of Beijing's imperial history. Discover the treasures it houses, which cannot even be seen in the Forbidden City.
Price includes: