Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your downtown hotel and hop aboard your air-conditioned vehicle. Start your exploration from one of the world’s largest public areas, Tian'anmen Square. Admire the exterior of the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the National Museum of China and Tian'anmen Tower. Pass through the south gate to the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City was home and seat of power for 24 rulers from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The entire complex is filled with palaces, gardens, courtyards, and living quarters. You will learn about the lives of the emperors, empresses, and much more in an engaging way.
After lunch at a local restaurant, spend the afternoon at the UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven. This masterpiece of architecture was constructed from 1406 to 1420, during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
Accompanied by your experienced tour guide, admire the massive temple complex, gardens and a cypress tree grove. See the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest which is entirely made of wood without the use of nails, with the heavy roof supported by 28 wood pillars. Talk with Heaven while standing on the Heavenly Heart Stone. After the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.
