Mini Group Tour: The Historic Beijing of Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), West Changan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China

Tian’anmen Square is at the very centre of the modern city of Beijing. Bounded to the north by Tiananmen Gate and the Rostrum, to the west by the Great Hall of the People, to the east by the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History, and to the south by the imposing Qianmen Gate. Covering 44 hectares, it is the largest public square in the world. In the center of the square are the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall where Mao Tse Tung’s embalmed body lies in state. It was from the Rostrum that Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on the 1st of October 1949. The most recognisable feature of the Rostrum is Mao’s portrait; a required backdrop for any photo visitors may take of themselves.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Forbidden City-The Palace Museum, No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100009 China

Forbidden City, so called because it was off limits to commoners throughout the history of Imperial China. Commoners caught in the Palace during this period were executed. Only once a year was a ‘commoner’ allowed to pass through the central gate of the entrance to the city (reserved for the passage of the Emperor). From this Palace the emperors governed China, often rather erratically, as they tended to become lost in this self contained little world and rarely left it. A truly great monument to a great civilization.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Temple of Heaven, Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050 China

The Temple of Heaven dates back to the same period as the Forbidden City--1406 and is ranked among the most famous structures in China. The temple was used several times annually when the emperor, bearing the hopes and sins of the Chinese people, humbled himself before heaven and performed rituals calculated to insure good harvests. Another very interesting part of any visit to the Temple of Heaven is the activity in the Park. Frequented by many Beijinger’s who have retired, you will find them playing Chinese chess, dancing, performing Peking Opera and doing Tai Chi among other popular activities. What was once the preserve of the Emperor is now a playground for the masses.

Duration: 1 hour