World Heritage Sites of Qing Dynasty Emperors
The special connection between Beijing and Chengde was established in Qing Dynasty during which the great emperors Kangxi and Qianlong founded the Mountain Resort and many royal pastures for their royal families’ summer retreat and autumn hunting. Today this connecting still exists, which has developed a popular travel route from Beijing to Chengde to trace back on Chinese history, marvel at precious World Heritage Sites and explore the real living of emperors of Qing Dynasty. Chengde is only about 225km away from Beijing, and can be arrived by driving approximately within 4 hours (or high speed train 1.5 hours). It is strongly recommended to spare out 2 more days to take a side trip to Chengde during your trip in Beijing.
Our 5 days Beijing Chengde private tour is the most popular tour package to explore the best highlights of both Beijing and Chengde, including Great Wall hiking, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Chengde Mountain Resort, etc. A knowledgeable tour guide will accompany you to dig deep into the spectacular culture and history behind all the places you will visit. At the same time, our packaged services, including hotel, private transfer, meals, tickets, etc., will ensure you a comfortable and smooth holiday in Beijing, China.
Highlights of this tour
Ni Hao, welcome to Beijing, the iconic city as well as the capital of China!
You will be met by your local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital Airport, or railway station, then be escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xian (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.
After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern side of the square was the site where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world's five most important palaces - Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Pass through various doorways in this magnificent structure to admire the beautiful and well-preserved buildings decorated with yellow-glazed tile roofs, white marble bases and splendid colorful paintings. After Forbidden City exploration, take a short visit to Jingshan Park where you can get a nice shot of one watchtower of Forbidden City and take a panoramic view of Forbidden City.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor.
Optional activities: 1) You can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater during 19:30-21:00.
After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc. Then, hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs - small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing, and also pay a visit to a local family's home in the traditional Hutongs.
The rest time of today is to drive to Chengde which is about 225km (3 hours' drive) from Chengdu. On the way, you will drop by Two-Pagoda Peaks, the largest unexplained natural sight of Chengde. Two giant rocky peaks stand together with two similar ancient pagodas on the flat tops. Formed by water and wind erosion, the twin stone pillars have existed over forty million years. And, the two brick pagodas were confirmed to be constructed during Liao Dynasty over 1,000 years ago. It is a man-made wonder that the Khitans completed such work in the ancient time without obvious access up to the summit.
Accommodate in Chengde city.
After breakfast, you will be taken to visit Chengde Mountain Resort, a famous royal summer resort of Qing Dynasty that has been evaluated as one of China’s Four Famous Gardens, one of Three Greatest Ancient Architectures and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is a huge complex built by Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors between 1703 to 1792 for summer retreat and temporary stay during autumn hunting, consisting of scenic areas of palaces, administrative and ceremonial buildings, gardens and different natural landscapes. Many emperors even spent nearly half a year staying here, processing government affairs and enjoying summer holidays. You will take your time to visit Chengde Mountain Resort Museum (former Zheng Palace), Songhezhai and Wanhesongfeng Hall to trace back to previous royal offices and living quarters. Next, walk to enjoy peaceful green lakes embraced by many shoreside lush trees and ancient buildings, also have a leisure stroll along the lakes and visit Yanyu Tower to view elegant Jiangnan-style architectures with handwriting of Qianlong Emperor, and walk through vast grassland and dense forests in Wanshu Garden to see the Mongolian yurts and Liuhe Pagoda, which will refresh your eyes and mind and offer you a pleasant summer retreat like ancient emperors.
In this afternoon, you will go to explore Chengde's sacred Buddhist temple. Begin from Putuo Zhongcheng Temple which is component of World Cultural Heritage with Chengde Mountain Resort. The temple was built to celebrate Qianlong Emperor’s 60th birthday and his mother Empress Dowager Chongqing’s 80 birthday. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet, this Tibetan Buddhist temple cluster is also known as “Little Potala Palace”. You will path through the red-walled Tablet Pavilion, Five Pagoda Gate and Glazed Archway, then hike further to the flat-roofed white oblong towers spreading on the hillside and finally get to the majestic Great Red Palace, the main body and most eye-catching building of Putuo Zhongcheng Temple. Go upstairs to visit Wanfaguiyi Hall and enjoy unique Chinese and Tibetan style architectures, and catch a panoramic view of the “Little Potala Palace” and Mountain Resort and Qingchui Peak (Hammer Rock) nearby from Cihangpudu Pavilion.
Later, move to Puning Temple (Temple of Universal Peace), an over 250-year old Buddhist temple found by Qianlong Emperor to commemorate two victories of the ethnic rebellions. This magnificent temple simulated from the Samye Monastery, a sacred temple of Tibet. It is a fusion of both Chinese and Tibetan featured architectures. The highlight is the 27.21-meter and 110-ton gold lacquered wooden statue of Thousand Armed and Eyed Bodhisattva enshrined in the Dachengzhige Pavilion.
Your last stop is Pule Temple (Temple of Universal Happiness) in the Qingchui Peak National Forest Park. It was built in 1766 during the Qianlong Emperor period for showing respect of minorities’ religion and reinforcing central authority’s rule. Admire the traditional Chinese architectural techniques and make pilgrimage to the statue of Cakrasamvara Tantra worshiped in the central Mandala.
Lastly, transfer back to your hotel.
After breakfast, your tour guide and driver will take you to Jinshanling Great Wall which is about 85km away (1 h and 15 mins' drive) from Chengde city. Firstly established in 1368 and extended in 1567, Jinshanling Great Wall is the essence of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty (1368~1644). It stretches 10.5km long, linking Simatai Great Wall in the east and Gubeikou Great Wall in the west. Till now, it has been partially restored only, so you can enjoy features of both restored and original Great Walls. There are 67 watchtowers, 5 passes and 3 beacon towers. Most of the towers are built in different shapes, which make Jinshanling Great Wall a wonderful place to explore the architectural art of Great Wall. Plus the scenic surrounding natural scenery, the view of Jinshanling Great Wall is just breathtaking.
After entering the check-in office, you will walk about 20 minutes to the western section of Jinshanling Great Wall, near to Gubeikou Great Wall. Your hike starts at Zhuanduo Tower, walk eastward with the up walls snaking on the hills to the eastern edge. On route, you have a rare chance to see some featured towers, such as General Tower, Large Jinshan Tower, Flower Tower, Corner Tower, etc. Your hike takes about 4~5 hours, and stops at East Tower with Five Holes where you will get off the wall, and get back to the tourist center.
Keep driving about 165km (3hrs' drive) to your hotel in Beijing. You can be dropped off at Beijing airport or train station if you want. Tour ends.
Xian, as the capital of 13 ancient China dynasties, is filled with amazing historic and cultural wonders.
With only 2 days, you can travel the best highlights of ancient capital Xian at an enjoyable pace. The Day 1 is a full day visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Local Snack Street - Muslim Quarter. In the Day 2, you have a half day for visiting to the symbol of Xian - Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and having an educational learning in Shanxi History Museum. The rest time is free for departure.
Shanghai, regarded as the Oriental Paris, is the best place to experience East-meet-West Culture, find hidden tradition within modernity.
Generally speaking, you can spend Day 1 exploring the popular landmarks of Shanghai, such as the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund, and Shanghai World Financial Center Tower. The Day 2 is for you to explore deep into the city of Shanghai (such as Old French Concession, Tianzifang or Jade Buddha Temple) and departure.
Beijing / Chengde / Bashang / Beijing
Chengde / Jinshanling Great Wall / Beijing
Beijing / Chengde / Beijing
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