Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden

Meals: Chinese Style Lunch
Attractions: Lama Temple (Yonghegong), Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Itinerary:

Depart from your centrally located Beijing hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and venture to the first of your historical highlights, the Lama Temple. Hailed as one of the city’s most famous monasteries, the temple boasts five opulent halls replete with colorful carvings, sacred objects and detailed murals. Follow your guide through the impressive labyrinth and learn about the cultural significance of the enormous Maitreya Buddha, a statue that stands 18 meters above ground.

Next, revitalize with a traditional Chinese lunch and prepare for your next destination.

Sated, travel to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Summer Palace to marvel at the regal resplendence of the structure, Hear about how the palace was completely rebuilt after destruction by foreign armies and tour the opulent grounds to see decorated temples, picturesque pavilions, quaint bridges, and verdant gardens.

Conclude your cultural exploration at the Tianhou Silk Market, a vibrant enclave in which a brief silk demonstration is performed. Purchase some sumptuous silk if you please then return to your Beijing hotel in your comfortable vehicle.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong)

Yonghe Lamasery and one of the best examples of the regions many sacred temples. Lama Temple reveals diverse architectural styles from Han, Mongolia, Manchuria and Tibet, and the impressive 60-foot Maitreya Buddha, carved form a single sandalwood tree.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Emperors retreat, the historic Summer Palace. Used for eight centuries, the Empress Dowager Cixi had the estate renovated in the 19th century, including the manmade lake we see today. Besides touring the ornate palace, you will stroll through one of Beijing’s favorite parks. After that, Its on to one of the highpoints of anyone visiting Beijing, a trip to see the frolicking Pandas, a living Chinese treasure.