Beijing 2-day Historical and Cultural Tour

Begin your journey at the majestic Great Wall of Juyongguan, where ancient stone fortifications wind through rugged mountains—climb its steep steps for breathtaking views and a glimpse into China's defensive history. Then, step into the Forbidden City, the sprawling imperial palace that housed emperors for centuries—wander through grand halls, intricate courtyards, and imagine life behind its crimson walls.

Unwind at the Summer Palace, a serene lakeside retreat of pavilions and painted corridors, before marveling at the sacred Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed beneath its iconic blue-tiled dome. End your day in Beijing’s labyrinthine hutongs, sipping tea in hidden courtyards and cycling past traditional homes.

From the Great Wall’s grandeur to the Forbidden City’s opulence, and from imperial gardens to local alleyways—experience Beijing’s past and present in one unforgettable journey!

Book this Tour

Or Call us FREE on Whatsapp/Tel: +86 177 9027 8341 to book this holiday.

  • Tour Code: BT-JYTGT-02
  • Time: 2 Days
  • Cities: Great Wall-Summer Palace-Tiananmen Square-Forbidden City-Temple of Heaven
  • Accommodation: 1 night (4+stars hotel)

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Beijing

Juyongguan Great Wall-Summer Palace

4-Stars Hotel

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Morning: Conquer Juyongguan Great Wall
Begin your Beijing adventure at Juyongguan Great Wall, one of the Three Great Passes of the Ming Dynasty and a strategic marvel nestled in the Jundu Mountains. Start your hike at the North Pass Tower, where steep stone steps lead to panoramic vistas of the surrounding valley—often dubbed the "most photogenic" section for its dramatic "人"-shaped (human-shaped) wall formation. Explore the Cloud Platform (Yun Tai), a 14th-century white marble arch adorned with Buddhist carvings, and learn about its role as a spiritual gateway for ancient travelers. For a cultural twist, join a guided tour to uncover legends of General Xu Da, who fortified this pass in 1368. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy atop the wall, surrounded by wild peonies in spring or crimson maples in autumn.

Afternoon: Royal Serenity at Summer Palace
After lunch, escape to the Summer Palace, China’s largest imperial garden. Enter through the East Palace Gate and wander the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where empresses once plotted court affairs. Stroll the Painted Long Corridor—the world’s longest painted gallery—and spot vivid murals depicting folk tales and historical events. Opt for a traditional paddleboat ride on Kunming Lake, mirroring the Qing emperors’ leisurely cruises, or glide in a modern electric boat for family-friendly ease. Climb the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a 41-meter pagoda offering sweeping lake views, and end your day at West Dyke to capture the golden-hour glow on marble bridges and lotus ponds.

Day 1: Beijing Day 1: Beijing Day 1: Beijing

Day 2: Beijing

Tiananmen Square-The Forbidden City-Temple of Heaven

None

Breakfast 

 

Morning: Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Deep Dive
Begin at Tiananmen Square, Beijing’s historic and political heart. Pause at the Monument to the People’s Heroes to admire its Marxist-Leninist reliefs, then cross the golden-gated Chang’an Avenue to enter the Forbidden City. This 15th-century imperial palace complex, home to 24 emperors, unfolds like a living museum. Wander the Meridian Gate (Wu Men) into the outer court, where the Hall of Supreme Harmony—China’s largest surviving wooden palace—towers with its dragon-adorned roof. Don’t miss the Nine Dragons Screen near the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a marvel of Ming-era jade carving. For a unique perspective, rent an audio guide to hear tales of imperial intrigues, or join a guided tour to uncover hidden symbols in the Golden River Bridge’s marble balustrades.

Afternoon: Temple of Heaven & Local Culture
After lunch, head to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO site where Ming/Qing emperors performed annual harvest prayers. Explore the Circular Mound Altar, where echoes reverberate across its triple-tiered stone platform—a design believed to amplify prayers to heaven. Climb the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a 38-meter wooden masterpiece with azure roof tiles and golden dragons. Stroll the surrounding park to witness locals practicing Tai Chi under ancient cypresses or singing folk songs in pavilions. For a hands-on experience, join a calligraphy workshop near the Echo Wall, where whispers travel 65 meters between the circular walls.

Day 2: Beijing Day 2: Beijing Day 2: Beijing

Why Choose Intoexplore

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Authentic Travel, No Shopping Stops
Every itinerary is designed with comfort and authenticity in mind. We skip the tourist traps and shopping stops to let you truly enjoy the culture, scenery, and stories behind each destination—worry-free and meaningful.
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Tailor Made Tour, Thoughtful Service
We tailor each journey to your schedule, interests, and budget. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, we work closely with you to design a personalized travel experience that fits your style and needs.
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Diverse Travel Options, Wide Coverage
From one-day tours to small group adventures, family trips to corporate visits—we offer a full range of travel styles. No matter your purpose or preference, we have the right program to match your expectations.
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Local Resources, Professional Team
With experienced local guides, licensed vehicles, and carefully selected hotels, we ensure safety, quality, and comfort throughout your trip. Our on-the-ground team is always ready to support your journey at every step.

China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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IntoExplore
Excellent
Clara
July 07,2025
We had a very memorable experience in Xi’An thanks to the expertise and helpfulness from Norman, who helped us planned our trip, and Waldener, our local tour guide from Into Explore. Norman helped us with the itinerary and bookings of transport and accommodations so it was stress free for me. He asked us our preferences when making the rooms reservation to cater to what we like and recommended the best way and places to explore this city. Our tour guide was also flexible with our schedule so we were able to do what we wanted and working around the weather. We were supposed to go Mt Hua on the 2nd day of our tour but it was forecasted to rain. He switched our itinerary around so we could climb Mt Hua on the 3rd day instead when the rain had stopped. Thank you Into Explore for giving us peace of mind to sit back and enjoy our vacation.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 4
Destination(s): Beijing,Xian,Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 30,2025
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Fernando MARTINEZ
June 05,2025
Fue una buena decisión hacer el Circulo de Oro contratando a Into Explore. Una empresa confiable con una muy buena organización siempre pendientes de nuestros gustos y preferencias. La experiencia de la visita a la Gran Muralla los Soldados Terracota, el Jardín Yu y Shanghái fueron muy interesantes y aprendimos mucho sobre las distintas Dinastías y la historia de China.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an
Destination(s): Beijing,Chongqing,Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: June 12,2025
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Tripadvisor
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Nataša G
May 2025 • Couples
5 of 5 bubbles
For smooth travels, I recommend this agency
This agency made sure my trip was 10/10! And I loved the smooth and fast communication we got. We were able to explore China at its finest and had the best time of our lives. If I had any questions during our travel, Vicky was able to help me and solve it immediately. I recommend this agency very much. Thank you!!!
Giovanni D
Apr 2025 • Friends
5 of 5 bubbles
Super Agency
Super organized travel agency, it met the thousand requests made and created a tailor-made travel package. Constant support both in the organizational phase before departure and during the trip. Drivers and guides provided during our itinerary super competent and kind. I highly recommend their services and will turn to them for my next trip to China
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Trustpilot
Excellent
Anna
Jun 17, 2025
trust-10
Thank you so much for the help you gave…
Thank you so much for the help you gave during my travel process, I would highly recommend your company anytime from the smooth experience you gave. Looking forward for more trips with you.
Robert Gex
Apr 15, 2025
trust-11
Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .

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