This is the most famous site in Beijing! Emperors lived and governed China for centuries from this complex. The architecture alone is worth the visit. But it also has a rich culture and history. I will tell you some interesting stories about who and what transpired here inside these walls. The Palace Museum has many priceless artifacts that were priceless centuries age and are priceless today! I know all the special places to visit to enhance your visit without standing in lines.

Walk where the Emperors walked and vacationed! This is a most beautiful park complex. There are many stories to tell about the emperors and the artwork reflects their grandeur. I will take you on a short ferry boat ride across the lake where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the park.

The Temple of Heaven was originally constructed in the 1400s during the Ming dynasty as a place of worship to the heavens! It is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and is described as having a profound influence on architecture and planning in the Far East for centuries. It was a place for high rituals and sacrifices all the way up to modern times.

Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing. Unlike the court life and elite culture of the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, the Hutongs represent the culture of the grassroots Beijingers. The Hutongs are residential neighborhoods which still form the heart of Old Beijing. We will visit these buildings and witness the life of the locals.

One of the largest public squares in the world located near the city’s Central Business District and the Forbidden City. The square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. The founding of the People’s Republic of China was announced on this square by Chairman Mao on October 1, 1949. We will walk through the Square on our way to the Forbidden City.