• Tour Agency: DIANDA TRAVEL

• Tour Code: DT-CT-009

• Tour Type: Private Custom Tour (Flexible travel dates and group size)

• Destinations: Beijing

• Core Route Features: Millennium imperial capital, central axis royal sights, majestic Great Wall, old city hutong culture, exploring the cultural veins of the Chinese capital.

• Core Landmarks: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, Olympic Park.

I. Tour Overview & Introduction

Tour Introduction

The Beijing Custom Roaming Tour seamlessly connects three major Beijing core landscapes: the imperial central axis sights, the majestic Great Wall, and the elegant royal gardens. It blends red-walled palaces, magnificent mountain passes, trendy art, and traditional hutong street life. Covering both imperial historical sites and urban humanities with zero mandatory shopping or transport bundling, this pure sightseeing custom model offers maximum freedom and flexibility.

The journey delves into Beijing's core territory, starting your imperial exploration from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then strolling through the Temple of Heaven and Houhai Hutongs to experience traditional Beijing charm. Climb the Mutianyu Great Wall to appreciate the magnificent momentum of the thousands-mile barrier; tour the Summer Palace, check out the 798 Art District and the Olympic Park. Ancient and modern scenery blend seamlessly to comprehensively unlock the capital's diverse charm. The route covers world cultural heritage sites, royal ancient architecture, trendy art landmarks, and urban cultural landscapes. In the evening, you can optionally enjoy special performances such as acrobatics, kung fu, or the Golden Mask Dynasty. Providing exclusively attraction-visiting support services with flexible dining, accommodation, and transportation combinations, this trip is ideal for family trips, cultural study tours, humanistic photography, and light leisure vacations. It is a highly flexible boutique Beijing in-depth custom tour.

Three Core Highlights

• Exploring Imperial Elegance on the Capital's Central Axis: Check in at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, and take a walking tour through Houhai Hutong to experience the magnificent imperial aura and old Beijing market atmosphere among red-walled ancient buildings.

• Climbing the Majestic Great Wall & Encountering Trendy Art: Head to the Mutianyu Great Wall for high-altitude views and panoramic sights of the magnificent mountain landscape. Step into the 798 Art District to experience modern literary and creative vibes, colliding ancient and modern Beijing.

• Enjoying Royal Gardens & Modern Urban Landmarks: Tour the Summer Palace to appreciate classical garden Zen scenery, head to the Olympic Park to view modern architectural icons like the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, and immerse yourself in the charm of the capital's blend of past and present.

II. Itinerary at a Glance

III. Detailed Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing | Airport/Station Pickup & Hotel Transfer

• Itinerary Arrangement:

  Welcome to the capital city, Beijing! Our driver will greet you at the airport or train station exit and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and rest. After settling down, enjoy free time to stroll through the Wangfujing commercial district and admire the stunning night views of Chang'an Avenue to relieve travel fatigue and jet lag.

• Transportation Notes:

  1. Flights: Beijing Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport operate massive international routes with direct flights from Malaysia, Singapore, the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Cambodia, etc., as well as domestic direct flights from Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, and more.

  2. Trains: Beijing's high-speed rail network is well-connected, offering direct access to popular domestic tourist cities such as Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, and Xi'an.

• Recommended Dining: Local specialties (Lu Zhu Huo Shao - stewed pork intestines with lungs, Tong Guo Shuan Rou - copper hot pot mutton)

• Accommodation: Downtown Beijing Hotel

• Tour Intensity: Relaxed & Leisurely

Day 2: Beijing In-Depth Day Tour | Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Houhai Hutongs + Temple of Heaven

• Morning: Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City

  After breakfast, head to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city-center square, home to the Tiananmen Gate Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum of China. The red walls and yellow tiles of the Tiananmen Gate Tower on the central axis are grand and solemn, witnessing countless major modern historical events. Here you can closely view the national emblem and red flag, experiencing the solemn and respectful urban atmosphere of the capital.

  Pass through the square and walk into the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the world's largest and best-preserved group of ancient royal palaces from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk along the central axis to visit the three main outer court halls: Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian), and Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian), featuring marble thousand-dragon carvings, roof ridge beasts, the dragon throne, and bronze cranes. Explore the inner court residential palaces including the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Earthly Tranquility, and the Eastern and Western Six Palaces. Red walls, yellow tiles, red doors, and golden nails fully display imperial majesty. A professional guide will explain the historical anecdotes of Ming and Qing emperors' daily lives, court affairs, and harem history.

• Afternoon: Temple of Heaven + Houhai Hutongs

  In the afternoon, take a private vehicle to the Temple of Heaven Park, a Ming and Qing imperial sacrificial architectural complex and a World Cultural Heritage site. Featuring the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Echo Wall as core landmarks, the blue-glazed tile hall is grand and exquisite. The ancient sacrificial architectural layout demonstrates clever acoustic and astronomical designs embodying ancient craftsmanship, surrounded by towering ancient cypress trees in a serene and solemn environment.

  In the late afternoon, a dedicated vehicle will drop you off at the Houhai area to begin the Houhai Hutong Walking Tour. This is an original old Beijing hutong district where the sparkling water surface of Shishahai, gray-tiled courtyard houses (Siheyuan), century-old weeping willows, specialty bars, and creative shops line the streets. Stroll deep into the hutongs to experience old Beijing market fireworks and slow-paced living.

  In the evening, you can optionally enjoy characteristic capital performances: thrilling acrobatics, Shaolin Kung Fu stage play, or the Golden Mask Dynasty cultural show (performance fees at your own expense), with private round-trip transfers provided.

• Recommended Dining: Local specialties (Beijing Roast Duck, Zhajiangmian - noodles with soybean paste)

• Accommodation: Downtown Beijing Hotel

• Tour Intensity: Moderate Exercise

Day 3: Great Wall Day Tour | Mutianyu Great Wall + 798 Art District

• Daytime: Mutianyu Great Wall & 798 Art District

  Drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall, renowned for having "unique scenery among all parts of the Great Wall." It is the best-preserved and most picturesque section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, featuring winding walls across overlapping mountains and densely arranged watchtowers. You can take a cable car directly to the 14th watchtower, hike westward to the 20th high point. The trail offers open views, vast mountain forests, and majestic dragon-like walls. With fewer crowds and stunning scenery compared to Badaling, you can immerse yourself in the grand and magnificent world-wonder landscape of the Great Wall.

  After the tour, return to the city center and visit the 798 Art District, a cultural and creative art zone transformed from old factory buildings. Industrial-style factories, graffiti walls, sculpture installations, galleries, independent art museums, and designer shops are scattered throughout, blending avant-garde art, retro industry, and trendy culture—perfect for artistic photo check-ins and casual strolls to experience Beijing's modern art atmosphere.

• Recommended Dining: Local specialties (Lü Daguo - glutinous rice rolls with red bean paste, Zǐzi Kǎoròu - iron plate barbecue)

• Accommodation: Downtown Beijing Hotel

• Tour Intensity: Moderate Exercise

Day 4: Capital Humanistic & Modern Panorama Tour | Lama Temple + Summer Palace + Bird's Nest + Water Cube

• Daytime: Lama Temple, Panda Souvenir Shop, Summer Palace, Olympic Park

  In the morning, enjoy a private transfer to the renowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple (Yonghe Palace). Featuring red walls, white pagodas, Tibetan-style halls, prayer flags, and ancient cypresses, it is one of the few complete Tibetan Buddhist architectural complexes in northern China, showcasing multi-ethnic blended ancient architectural aesthetics. Along the way, visit the Panda Souvenir Shop to pick up exclusive Beijing giant panda-themed gifts and souvenirs.

  Next, enjoy an in-depth tour of the Summer Palace, China's largest existing royal garden and a royal garden museum. Centered around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, it features the 728-meter-long Painted Corridor with thousands of unique ancient paintings. Climb to the top of Foxiang Pavilion for a panoramic view of the entire lake and mountains, and visit the Seventeen-Hole Bridge, Marble Boat, Suzhou Street, and Wenchang Gallery sequentially. The perfect fusion of lakes, mountains, pavilions, and towers showcases the peak of Qing Dynasty imperial garden design.

• Evening: Bird's Nest & Water Cube

  In the evening, head to the Olympic Park for an outdoor tour, exteriorly viewing the 2008 Olympic landmarks: the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Swimming Center). Their modern streamline giant architecture boasts extraordinary design. At dusk, the architectural lighting offers rich layers for photography, allowing you to experience Beijing's modern urban landscape.

• Recommended Dining: Local specialties (Mending Roubing - meat pies, Wandouhuang - pea flour cake)

• Accommodation: Downtown Beijing Hotel

• Tour Intensity: Moderate Exercise

Day 5: Departure from Beijing | Airport/Station Drop-off Service

• Daytime:

  After breakfast, this wonderful journey concludes. Our staff will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward destination. If you wish to extend your trip to explore more Chinese destinations such as Tibet, Yunnan, Guilin, or Harbin, please feel free to contact us to arrange it for you. Finally, thank you sincerely for choosing Dianda Travel to explore China with us. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future. Have a safe journey!

IV. What's Included

• Guide Service: Professional bilingual (Chinese & English) licensed custom tour guides throughout the journey, providing exclusive local commentary for each segment, and planning optimal commuting routes and off-peak travel schedules.

• Attraction Admission Tickets: First-entry admission tickets for all listed attractions in the itinerary are fully included.

• Local Transfer Transportation: Private vehicle / tourist bus for round-trip transfers between scenic spots in all cities throughout the trip (short local urban transfers only; cross-city high-speed rail and long-distance transportation tickets are not included), including driver, fuel fees, parking fees, and scenic area mountain entry fees.

• Itinerary Planning: Pre-trip exclusive itinerary fine-tuning, attraction route optimization, reasonable driving duration arrangement, and niche check-in spot recommendations.

• Itinerary Coordination: Full-journey attraction reservations, staggered off-peak scenic tour arrangements, and show seat coordination.

V. What's Not Included

1. Intercity Long-Distance Transportation: All high-speed rail tickets and long-distance bus fares required for city transfers are at your own expense (assistance with booking can be provided).

2. Scenic Area Optional Transportation: Bicycle rentals.

3. Accommodation: Hotel and homestay fees are not included; separate booking services can be provided upon request.

4. Meals: All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are at your own expense; the tour guide can recommend local specialty restaurants.

5. Personal Expenses: Scenic area cultural & creative products, snacks and drinks, costume rentals, and self-funded characteristic upgraded projects.

6. Evening Optional Performances: Beijing Acrobatics / Kung Fu / Golden Mask Show tickets at your own expense.

7. China Visa Application Fees: At your own expense.

8. Single Room Supplements, Luggage Storage, Hotel Laundry, Scenic Audio Guide Rentals, etc.: At your own expense.

9. Tipping for Tour Guides and Drivers: At your own expense.

10. Extra Expenses Caused by Force Majeure & Price Differences from Temporary Itinerary Changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to book a private tour?

• Step 1: Choose a route and consult for free

  Pick your favorite tour route and inform us of your travel dates, number of companions, and personalized preferences. No payment is required at this stage.

• Step 2: Professional custom plan

  Within 0.5 to 24 hours, our dedicated travel consultant will contact you to tailor an exclusive itinerary and provide professional travel advice.

• Step 3: Confirm itinerary and pay deposit

  If you are satisfied with the plan, you can complete the booking and pay a deposit to lock in all travel service resources including vehicles, guides, and hotels.

• Step 4: Seamless communication throughout

  You can contact your dedicated consultant at any time before the trip to adjust the itinerary, ask questions, or make special requests.

How to extend your China trip?

The above itinerary is just an example, and most travelers choose this route. If you wish to extend your trip, please choose a private custom tour and simply tell us your favorite destinations and desired activities. Our professional travel consultants will redesign the itinerary for you and your team at the best price.

Tour Transportation

You will travel to various scenic spots in the city via private vehicle. The vehicles we choose are spacious, comfortable, and equipped with air conditioning, driven by experienced drivers. For transportation between cities, we typically choose domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed rail (second class, usually under 6 hours). Local guides and drivers will meet you at the airport/train station and escort you to your hotel.

VII. Accommodation Standards for Custom Tours

During your trip in China, ensuring sufficient sleep every day is very important. This route is a private custom tour, and accommodation is not included in the tour fee, but we can provide booking services for you under the following standards:

• Room Type: Standard twin room (twin beds) for basic room types; natural single rooms (king bed rooms) are not guaranteed. Children without a bed do not include breakfast.

• Location Standard: We carefully select hotels with prime locations in each destination, adjacent to commercial streets or tourist attractions.

• Quality Assurance: We maintain long-term cooperative relationships with these hotels to ensure they meet comfortable sleeping standards.

• Facilities & Services: All booked hotels are equipped with windows, air conditioning, hot water, showers, and Wi-Fi (accommodation conditions during trips to remote areas like Mount Everest may be simpler). Hotel staff can communicate in English and are committed to providing quality service, and you can contact the front desk for assistance at any time.

• Note: Hotel booking services incur additional charges, and actual prices are subject to real-time reservation rates. If you need to upgrade your room type (such as king rooms, suites, etc.), please let us know so we can check prices and arrange it for you.

VIII. Itinerary Suitability Description

• Crowd Suitability: Elderly / family groups can adjust bus segmented stops for rest, shorten long-distance items, and increase leisure sightseeing experiences; outdoor enthusiasts can increase hiking duration.

• Duration Extension: Can add visits to Luoyang, Dunhuang, Yunnan, Qingdao, and other destinations as needed, with corresponding cross-city transportation duration and transfer plans added synchronously.

• Dietary Suitability: Advance notice of vegetarian, halal, allergy, or other dietary requirements allows the guide to plan and recommend corresponding dining districts in advance, with rest stop recommendations along long-distance drives.

X. Customer Reviews

• Review 1

  • User: Sarah M.

  • Date: May 12, 2026

  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Content: An unforgettable trip to Beijing! Our private guide was extremely knowledgeable, and skipping the lines at the Forbidden City and Great Wall made everything so smooth. Highly recommend Dianda Travel for custom tours!

• Review 2

  • User: David L.

  • Date: April 28, 2026

  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Content: Flawless organization. The private transfers were always on time, and visiting Mutianyu Great Wall instead of Badaling gave us amazing photo opportunities without the massive crowds. Excellent service!