Discover Beijing’s traditional heart through narrow alleyways and courtyard homes that have sheltered families for generations. 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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Destination
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Trip duration
0.5 day
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Price
From 600 cny
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Min/Max travelers
Min. 4
Immerse yourself in authentic Beijing life through this intimate cultural journey combining traditional hutong exploration with spiritual discovery. Walk through centuries-old alleyways 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
Half Day: Lama Temple and Imperial College Private Tour
Begin your exploration at the magnificent Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), one of Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Marvel at the intricate architecture, ornate decorations, and the famous 18-meter tall sandalwood Buddha statue. Your guide will share fascinating insights about Tibetan Buddhism and the temple's imperial history while you observe monks in their daily rituals. Please dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered out of respect for this sacred space.
Continue to the nearby Imperial College (Guozijian), China's highest educational institution during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Walk through the peaceful courtyards where imperial scholars once studied, and learn about ancient Chinese educational systems and Confucian philosophy. The beautifully preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere provide a perfect contrast to the vibrant temple experience.
Throughout your tour, enjoy comfortable air-conditioned transportation and complimentary bottled water. Photography is generally permitted at both sites, though flash photography may be restricted inside temple halls. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the tour involves considerable walking on uneven surfaces.
Advanced booking of 1 day is required, and please note that this tour operates daily except Mondays when the Imperial College is closed. The experience concludes with drop-off at your hotel after gaining deep insights into Beijing's spiritual and scholarly traditions.
Food
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Accommodation
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Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- Half-day tour (4 hours) with professional English-speaking guide.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service. Please meet our guide in your hotel lobby at the designated time.
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
- All entrance fees for Lama Temple and Imperial College visits（If booking less than 8 days before your tour date, entrance tickets must be purchased on-site. Please note that purchasing tickets on-site may require waiting in long queues.）
- Complimentary botteled of water with unlimited supplies
- 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
- Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Tour operates daily except Mondays when Imperial College is closed.
- Booking required at least 1 day in advance
- 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. The waiting time for no-shows cannot exceed 30 minutes, after which the tour will be automatically canceled.
- 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
- 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 - please avoid revealing clothing and ensure shoulders and knees are covered
- 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