Traversing 600 Years of Imperial Splendour: A Slow-Paced Private Journey through Beijing
I come from Singapore and have always longed for Beijing, an ancient capital carrying thousands of years of Chinese history. The red-walled palaces and the majestic Great Wall I saw in textbooks and documentaries had always drawn me in. This time, I finally brought my family along to begin this long-awaited six-day private journey through Beijing.
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
1. Cost Guide
I compared the 6-day private Beijing tour packages from multiple travel agencies online. Most packages were priced at 7600 SGD. Our private tour package costs 6720 SGD, cheaper than the online quotes. There was no shopping stop and no hidden charges at all.
This is Kai's WhatsApp +86 18907331470
Email: zhangjiajiekai@outlook.com
2. Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Nanluoguxiang - Shichahai
Arrive in Beijing, private transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest. In the evening, wander the hutongs in Nanluoguxiang, visit unique shops and taste local snacks. Then walk along Shichahai Lake and enjoy the sunset lake view. The whole trip is relaxed, highly recommended for first-time visitors to experience authentic hutong culture.
·Shichahai was an ancient water area in the Yuan dynasty, a gathering place of old Beijing hutong culture where many nobles built their mansions in ancient times.
·There are many tricycle tours in the hutongs; choose carefully, and some snack shops charge higher prices.
Day 2: Tiananmen Square - The Palace Museum - Jingshan Park
Head to Tiananmen Square early in the morning for photos, then enter the Palace Museum. We visited major palaces with our guide and listened to royal historical stories. After the tour, exit from Shenwu Gate and climb Jingshan Park to overlook the full view of the Forbidden City. The view is breathtaking and this is the most impressive stop of our trip.
·Built in the Ming dynasty, the Forbidden City has over 600 years of history and is the largest wooden royal palace complex in the world.
·The Palace Museum requires advance real-name reservation and can only be entered at Meridian Gate and exited at Shenwu Gate. Wear comfortable shoes, as the route is very long.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall
Set off early for Mutianyu Great Wall. Take the cable car up to the wall, hike along the ramparts slowly, admire rolling mountain scenery and take plenty of photos. Have a simple lunch nearby, then head back to the downtown hotel for rest in the afternoon. The experience is comfortable without exhaustion.
·Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the Ming dynasty as a key defence line for the capital, with lush vegetation and layered scenery.
·It is windy on the mountain. Bring drinking water, and take the cable car if you are low on energy rather than forcing a long hike.
Day 4: Summer Palace - Old Summer Palace Ruins
Visit the Summer Palace in the morning, walk along the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake leisurely, and admire exquisite royal garden buildings. In the afternoon, go to the Old Summer Palace ruins, view the broken relics and feel the profound history. Return to the hotel in the evening, the schedule is well-balanced.
·The Summer Palace was a royal summer retreat in the Qing dynasty. Its Long Corridor is decorated with over ten thousand classical story paintings.
·The two parks are far apart; manage your time wisely. The Old Summer Palace is mainly for historical and cultural appreciation.
Day 5: Temple of Heaven - Prince Gong's Mansion
Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning, admire the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and Echo Wall, and learn about ancient emperors’ heaven-worshipping culture with the guide. In the afternoon, tour Prince Gong's Mansion, explore the Qing dynasty mansion and hear stories about Heshen. Try authentic Beijing food freely in the evening.
·Temple of Heaven was where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. The Echo Wall uses acoustic principles to carry sound over a distance.
·Prince Gong's Mansion is crowded. Follow the guide to learn about the architecture, and walk slowly as there are many steps, especially for the elderly.
Day 6: National Museum of China - Qianmen Street
Visit the National Museum of China in the morning, view numerous national treasures slowly and immerse ourselves in China’s 5,000-year civilisation. Afterwards, stroll along Qianmen Street, pick souvenirs, finish the whole trip and take the private transfer to the airport for departure.
·The National Museum houses numerous national treasures, fully displaying the five-thousand-year thread of Chinese civilisation.
·The National Museum is free but requires advance reservation. Large luggage must be stored, and flash photography is prohibited inside.
3. Experience with Guide Kai
Kai is a local English-speaking guide who knows Beijing's history well, providing private car transfers throughout the trip. He pre-books the limited tickets for major attractions in advance, saving us the trouble of failing to reserve on our own. His explanations are vivid and interesting, turning dry historical stories into something easy to understand. The pace is flexible, so whenever my family got tired we could stop and rest. There was zero shopping, no forced visits to shops, and whenever we had questions, we could contact him and get a quick solution.
4. Personal Suggestion
• Most Beijing attractions require reservation about 7 days in advance, and tickets are very tight in peak season. It is best to let the guide secure your spots in advance.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will walk a lot every day. The elderly and children must set aside time to rest.
• In spring and autumn there is a big temperature difference between day and night. Carry a light jacket, and remember it is colder at the Great Wall than in the city.
• For authentic Beijing food, follow the guide's recommendations for local long-established restaurants and avoid the pricey trendy shops in scenic areas.
Share kai's whatsApp: +8618907331470
Kai 's email address: zhangjiajiekai@outlook.com
Kai's wechat ID: s1025566476
