One-Day Flexible Beijing Tour: Pandas, Temples & Panoramic Forbidden City View
Tour Overview
Offering maximum flexibility, the classic one-day Beijing tour can be ‘tailored to your preferences‘. First up, you can explore historical landmarks like the Lama TempleĀ and the Imperial College, or opt for famous sights such as the Forbidden CityĀ and the Temple of Heaven.
In the afternoon, meet the giant pandas at Beijing Zoo, climb Jingshan Park for a spectacular panoramic view of the Forbidden City, or cap off your day with a Peking Opera performance, including exclusive backstage access.
Packed with highlights yet highly flexible, this trip is perfect for first-timers who want to discover the diverse aspects of Beijing in a single day.
Travel destination: Beijing
Suitable for: Culture Lovers, Panda Lovers, First-timers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
Stroll at the Imperial College and Confucius Temple: listen to stories about the Chinese imperial examination system, royal education, and the highest academies of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
See Pandas Up Close at Beijing Zoo:Ā watch the giant pandas leisurely nibbling bamboo or snoozing on tree branches, and meet the adorable golden snub-nosed monkeys and red pandas.
Enjoy a Panoramic View of the Forbidden City: walk up to the Top of Jingshan Park to admire the splendid golden glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace at sunset.
Customize Your Travel Plan: switch the morning to the Palace Museum or the Temple of Heaven, and in the evening, go behind the scenes of Peking Opera, and it’s all up to your interests.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Beijing Culture & Sightseeing JourneyExplore ancient temples, watch pandas play, and view the sunset over the Forbidden City
The Beijing day trip starts at Yonghe Temple, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, where you can see the 18-metre-tall Maitreya Buddha carved entirely from white sandalwood (a Guinness World Record), Thangka paintings, gilded bronze statues, ritual instruments, and more.
Next, visit the Imperial College, the highest educational institution during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, which boasts a history spanning over 700 years.
Imperial College, the highest educational institution during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties Nearby,Ā the Confucius TempleĀ was once a sacred site where the imperial court paid homage to Confucius. Stroll leisurely under the ancient cypress trees while the guide explains the ancient Chinese imperial examination and education system.
Other Morning Optional Attractions: If you want to visit other famous Beijing sights, the itinerary can be replaced based on your interests with the Forbidden City, Summer Palace or Temple of Heaven.
After lunch, head to Beijing Zoo. Most visitors come here with only one clear goal: to see the giant pandas. Watch the adorable pandas munching on bamboo indoors, or "lying flat" on tree branches outdoors. You can also see golden snub-nosed monkeys, red pandas, and other amphibians and reptiles in the park.
Afterwards, go up to Jingshan ParkĀ for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
See Peking Opera performers apply their makeup backstage Your 1 day in Beijing is almost over, and you will be taken back to your hotel.
Optional Evening Performance:Ā Peking Opera is a national treasure of China. At an old theatre, you can watch a 1-2 hour performance of classic excerpts, with actors in elaborate costumes and colored makeup. The guide can also take you behind the scenes to see how the performers apply their makeup.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
