Your professional guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Beijing. Sit back and relax as you start your journey to explore the rich imperial history of Beijing.​ Sacred Way​ Upon arrival, you will walk along the Sacred Way. This ancient path is lined with a series of impressive stone statues, including lions, elephants, camels, and officials. These statues were placed here to stand guard and protect the tombs of the emperors. As you stroll along the Sacred Way, your guide will share interesting stories and historical facts about these sculptures and their significance in Chinese imperial culture.

For Ming Tombs experience, you can choose either Dingling or Changling. If you choose Dingling, you will visit the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses. Dingling is the only tomb among the Ming Tombs that has been excavated so far. You can explore the underground palaces, which are a remarkable feat of ancient architecture. Admire the stone carvings and the grandeur of the burial chambers, learning about the burial customs and the life of the Ming emperors.​ For Changling, it is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Changling is known for its magnificent main hall, the Ling'en Hall. This hall is one of the largest wooden structures in China, built with precious nanmu wood. The hall is filled with historical artifacts and displays, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the Ming Dynasty's power and prosperity.

After visiting the Ming Tombs, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will head to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a vast imperial garden that served as a retreat for the royal family. It seamlessly blends natural landscapes with man - made structures, offering a harmonious beauty. Spanning over 290 hectares, it features a large lake - Kunming Lake, numerous palaces, temples, and pavilions, all of which showcase the pinnacle of Chinese garden design and imperial architecture.​

Entering from the East Palace Gate, the first sight that greets you is the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshou Dian). This was the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu handled state affairs during their stays at the Summer Palace. Admire the grand architecture and the historical relics inside. After that, visit the Hall of Jade Ripples (Yulantang). This was the place where Emperor Guangxu was once imprisoned during the Hundred Days' Reform. Explore the living quarters and learn about the historical events that took place here.

Next, walk along the Long Corridor. This 728 - meter - long corridor is decorated with over 14,000 colorful paintings, depicting stories from Chinese history, mythology, and literature. It is a masterpiece of art and engineering.

As you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, you'll spot the Marble Boat, an iconic structure in the Summer Palace. Constructed entirely of marble, this boat - shaped building is 36 meters long. It was originally built in 1755 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and was named Qingyan Fang, symbolizing the stability of the Qing Dynasty, as the stone boat would never sink. The upper deck of the Marble Boat is decorated with Western - style windows and railings, reflecting the influence of Western culture during the late Qing Dynasty.

Finally, you have the option to take a boat ride on Kunming Lake at your own expense. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake, with views of the Seventeen - Arch Bridge and the various palaces and temples along the shore. At the end of the tour, your driver and guide will drop you back at your hotel. Reflect on the amazing day filled with the history and culture of Beijing's imperial past.​