Discover Beijing’s traditional heart through narrow alleyways and courtyard homes that have sheltered families for generations. Enjoy an intimate lunch with a local host family, experiencing genuine Beijing hospitality and home-cooked cuisine. Learn about daily life, customs, and stories passed down through generations while exploring these UNESCO-protected neighborhoods that represent the soul of old Beijing.
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From 1620 cny
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Immerse yourself in authentic Beijing life through this intimate cultural journey combining traditional hutong exploration with spiritual discovery. Walk through centuries-old alleyways, share a home-cooked meal with a local family, and explore the magnificent Lama Temple and Imperial College. This unique experience offers genuine insights into Beijing’s traditional lifestyle, Buddhist heritage, and scholarly traditions that have shaped Chinese culture for generations.
Visit the stunning Lama Temple, Beijing’s most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery, where massive prayer wheels spin and incense fills the air around towering Buddha statues. Continue to the Imperial College, China’s highest ancient learning institution where scholars once studied for imperial examinations. These sacred and scholarly sites reveal the spiritual and intellectual foundations that shaped Chinese civilization.
Day 1
Traditional Beijing Cultural Immersion
Begin your cultural journey wandering through Beijing's historic hutong alleys on foot or by rickshaw, observing traditional architecture and neighborhood life. Experience authentic hospitality during a home-hosted lunch with a local family, savoring traditional dishes while learning about contemporary Beijing life and customs. Continue to the magnificent Lama Temple, where you'll witness active Buddhist worship and admire incredible architecture including the towering Maitreya Buddha statue. Conclude at the Imperial College, exploring the halls where China's greatest scholars once studied, gaining insight into the educational traditions that shaped the nation's intellectual heritage.
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Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- Full-day tour with professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
- All entrance fees for Lama Temple and Imperial College visits as mentioned in the description
- Traditional home-hosted lunch with local family in hutong courtyard
- Hutong walking tour or rickshaw ride (weather permitting)
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Not Included
- Personal expenses such as additional meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement
- Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
- Single supplement charges for single travellers, where applicable
- Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
- Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
- Hotel expenses of a personal nature: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
- Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside downtown Beijing. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside the Central Business District and both Beijing's International Airports are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions
- Customers are advised that during the Lunar Festival celebrations (celebration of Chinese New Year), excursions and tours may be subject to supplementary charges and/or may see longer waiting times than normal
- The home-hosted lunch is prepared by local families and dietary restrictions should be communicated in advance. Vegetarian options are available upon request
- Photography is generally permitted at all sites, however flash photography may be restricted inside temple halls. Please respect local customs and follow guidance from your guide
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the tour involves considerable walking on uneven surfaces in hutong alleys
- The Lama Temple requires modest dress code
- We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour
- Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off
- It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request
- In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions