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Summer Palace & Temple of Heaven

Beijing’s two most graceful UNESCO sites, paced like a stroll rather than a checklist.

🕐 10 hours · 08:30 – 18:30 · flexible start🚘 Private car & driver🏨 Hotel pickup included💵 from $149 per car

The day

What This Day Feels Like

Morning belongs to the Temple of Heaven — not just the famous round hall, but the park around it, where Beijing’s retirees fan-dance, play cards and practise tai chi under 600-year-old cypresses. Arrive early enough and the park life is as memorable as the architecture.

The afternoon moves to the Summer Palace, the Qing court’s lakeside retreat: walk the 728-metre painted Long Corridor, see the Marble Boat, then cross Kunming Lake by dragon boat with the Tower of Buddhist Incense rising behind you.

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Good to know

Before You Go

  • Both sites are vast — this itinerary covers the highlights at a relaxed pace
  • The dragon boat runs roughly April to November; in winter the lake often freezes
  • Combined walking is around 6 km; benches and tea houses are plentiful
  • Photographers: the Seventeen-Arch Bridge is best in late-afternoon light

Hour by hour

A 10-Hour Day, Planned to the Minute — and Flexible by the Minute

08:30

Hotel Pickup

South first: it’s a short drive to the Temple of Heaven’s east gate.

09:00

Temple of Heaven Park Life

Tai chi, diabolo spinners and ballroom dancers under the ancient cypress grove — join in, nobody minds.

09:45

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

The triple-gabled round hall built without a single nail, plus the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar.

11:30

Lunch

A relaxed local lunch en route north — Beijing home cooking or dumplings, your call.

13:00

Summer Palace — Long Corridor

728 metres of covered walkway, every beam painted with a different scene from Chinese legend.

14:30

Marble Boat & Suzhou Street

The Empress Dowager’s infamous folly, then the recreated canal-side market street below Longevity Hill.

15:30

Dragon Boat Across Kunming Lake

Cross the lake the imperial way, landing near the Seventeen-Arch Bridge for golden-hour photos.

17:00

Drive Back

Optionally via Panjiayuan antiques market if it’s a weekend and energy allows.

18:30

Hotel Drop-Off

Two World Heritage sites, one unhurried day.

This is a private trip — every timing above flexes to your pace, your appetite and your energy.

The Essentials

What’s Included

Included in the Price

  • Private car and professional driver for 10 hours
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Beijing
  • Tolls, fuel, parking and bottled water
  • WhatsApp, Email and WeChat Support

Not Included

  • Meals
  • Admission Fees
  • Tour Guide (Available on Request)

Groups & Vehicles

A Vehicle for Every Group Size

✓ Vehicles for Small and Large Groups of All Sizes ✓ Child, Elderly and Wheelchair-Friendly Touring ✓ English-Speaking Drivers Available, Subject to Availability
5-Seater Sedan (BYD Han)
5-Seater SedanBYD Han · 1–3 guests
7-Seater MPV (Buick GL8)
7-Seater MPVBuick GL8 / Denza D9 · 4–5 guests
9-Seater Van (Mercedes-Benz Vito)
9-Seater VanMercedes-Benz Vito · 6–7 guests
Toyota Coaster mini coach
18–23 Seater CoasterToyota Coaster · up to 21 guests
38-seater midi bus
38-Seater BusBig groups · 22–35 guests
45-seater touring coach
45-Seater CoachLarge groups · 36–42 guests
VehicleIdeal ForGuestsLarge BagsPrice · This Day Trip
5-Seater Sedan (BYD Han)Couples & solo travellers1–32$149
Luxury 5-Seater SedanExecutive travel1–32Quote on request
7-Seater MPV (Buick GL8 / Denza D9)Families & small groups4–55$179
9-Seater Van (Mercedes-Benz Vito)Premium group travel6–74$220
18-Seater Coaster (Toyota)Larger groups & tours13–1610$315
23-Seater Coaster (Toyota)Big groups & events17–2115$330
38-Seater BusBig groups & delegations22–3528$465
45-Seater CoachLarge groups & corporate36–4235$480
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All prices are per vehicle for this day trip and include highway tolls, parking, fuel and driver meals.

Keep exploring

More Days out in Beijing

Great Wall at Mutianyu

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Forbidden City & Tiananmen

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Hutongs, Drum Tower & Duck Dinner

10 hrs · private · from $149 per car

Book or Enquire

Check Dates & Prices for This Day Trip

Ready to Make It Your Day?

Tell us your date and hotel — we confirm your driver within hours. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup.

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