Ancient Beijing & New Olympic tour
Overview
For this tour, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel at around 07:30 am-08:00 am.
Drive to the old Beijing Hutong area. It is formed by lines of courtyards, old Beijing residences. Hutongs are the origin of Beijing culture and could reflect the ancient Beijing life. Nowadays, most of hutongs are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. Whereas, some are designated as protected area and some others are packed with various boutique stores offering a lively atmosphere.
You will take a rickshaw to visit the well protected hutong area including the Shicha Lake area, the Drum tower, and a local family. Hutongs and courtyards display the authentic Beijing and attract more tourists from home and abroad than the high-rise buildings and large mansions.
Continue to visit the Lama Temple - Yonghe Lamasery. It is considered as the largest and best preserved lamasery in China. This exceptional temple is a glittering attraction, where riveting roofs, fabulous frescoes, magnificent decorative arches, tapestries, eye-popping carpentry, Tibetan prayer wheels, Buddhist statues and a superb pair of Chinese lions mingle with dense clouds of incense.
Then check out the lovely giant pandas in Beijing Zoo. The site is comprised of 16 different exhibition areas and halls, but the most popular one is the Panda Hall. Afterwards, head for Olympic Green and you may take pictures of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
During the trip, you will have a chance to visit the Ceramics Store and Chinese Traditional Silk Arts. At last you will be dropped off at the hotel to conclude the trip.
Highlights
- Take pictures of Water Cube and Bird's Nest
- Visit a largest Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple
- Experience the maze of Hutongs and narrow alleys
- See cuddly giant pandas at Beijing Panda House
Good to Know
Scheduling: Shared Tour
Languages offered on the Activity / Tour: English
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
Live GuideEnglish
Easy CancellationThere is no cancellation fee once Customers Cancel at least 7 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 50% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 3 and 6 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 100% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 2 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Cut-off Time
Available to be booked until 1 day before the tour starts.
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local lunch
- Entrance fee
- English-speaking tour guide
- Air-conditioned tour vehicle
- Group tour
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
Pickup and Drop-off / Meeting Point
This map is provided by Google Maps, which may set its own cookies.
Know Before You Go
- Please provide all travelers’ names and hotel information while booking
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Traveler reviews
4.6
14 reviews
- 5 stars9
- 4 stars5
- 3 stars0
- 2 stars0
- 1 star0
- KevH67 · AU2021-06-17Traveler review
The houses in the Hutong are roughly 400 to 500 years old. They have electricity and running water but unfortunately, no public bathroom. The courtyards are shared by families and it was just wonderful to see that this old Chinese community living just streets behind all the hi-rise buildings and modern architecture of Beijing! The family we seen were super friendly and seemed so happy to have us there. We then travelled on to the temple, what I really like about this place is the respect that everyone shared. There is certainly a religious air about the whole thing. The architecture, design and sculptures throughout were gorgeous, and we really enjoyed this part of the tour. Lastly, we traveled to Beijing Zoo. My wife had wanted to visit here for years to see the pandas and although she was slightly disappointed with the conditions the animals were kept in, they looked happy enough and she couldn't believe her luck to be there for the pandas feeding time! It was a wonderful day for us and we highly recommend.
- Cemre Aydemir · TR2021-05-31Traveler review
I intresting time had. Beautiful day with beautiful friends. For me pandas best.
- Bryony Madison · US2021-05-30Traveler review
Very cultural tour and learned a lot about Beijing. The Lama Temple was an assault on all the senses! Very interesting and informative
- Marina Oksana · UA2021-05-09Traveler review
China brilliant. I had so much fun on this day. This day will be memory forever for me. Thank you
- Yvonne Bailey · CA2021-05-01Traveler review
The pandas were the highlight of my trip! But getting to see the contrast between the old and new Beijing was a lot more interesting than I originally thought. I am not that into history, but I really appreciated the culture I was exposed to on this trip. Bruce and his team are incredible and really know their stuff
- Sara · SN2021-03-15Traveler review
Me and my family were all pleased we booked this wonderful tour with this wonderful company. Thank you for everything we will always use this company.!!!!
- Bronte_95 · BS2019-12-01Traveler review
<p>My wife and I were first time visitors to China and we of course wanted to see as much as possible so we pre-booked this tour and were sure we will be back here in this magical city!</p>
- Lukaah · SE2019-08-11Traveler review
This was an excellent short tour that I highly recommend. Our guide was pleasant, funny and extremely knowledgeable about the history of Xian. I learned so much that I didn't know before. It was a great start to our holiday!!!
- JIBBOB · PT2019-07-02Traveler review
The city was breathtaking and we were very impressed that we all want to visit China again in the future. I highly recommended this tour. I give them credit for all of us to fall in love with China and their culture.
- Annie · US2019-06-18Traveler review
Local lunch was on point. i want to live here for the foods and historical places! Great tour agency do their job with love cant ask for better!
- ERIN FLADA · DE2019-02-20Traveler review
First time my kids saw pandas there in love with them now!!! they enjoyed every moment more than us the parents; enojyable and fun for kids too. Tour staff very friendly. THANK YOU PRIVATE TOUR!
- ramon · GB2019-02-06Traveler review
<p>Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and helpful. My husband and I have been on many city tours and have been left disappointed by either a group that was to large or a guide that talked so much, that it was hard to take everything in. We very much enjoyed this tour. Highly recommended.!</p>
- janna · RU2018-11-19Traveler review
I LOVE THE PANDAS THEY WERE SO SWEET!!! THANKS TO PRIVATE TOUR FOR THIS WONDERFUL TOUR THEY GAVE US ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WE NEEDED!!
- Ella john · NZ2018-10-26Traveler review
This company is extremely professional and their customer service is faultless. I researched many different tour companies before finally choosing this tour. Our tour guide was very personable and gave us interesting facts and tips. I definitely recommend this tour company for anyone, I had an excellent time.!!!