Beijing Trip Overview
This private tour starts with a visit to the site of the Ming Dynasty tombs and includes a visit to the Ding tombs, (or Underground Palace), 89 feet below ground, the only tomb open to the public. On route you’ll pass the grand entrance to the Imperial burial site, The Sacred Way, a decorative walkway lined with impressive sized statues of significance and meaning. Get a glimpse into China’s rich imperial past with the architecture, distinctive wood carvings and ancient relics seen.
After lunch travel to the Huanghuacheng Wall, hike along this wild, original, less visited section, once built in the Ming Dynasty, as part of the inner wall to protect Beijing from a northern invasion. It’s also the only section close to a man-made lake. When the Xishuiyu Dam was built, the wall that crossed the valley floor was flooded. Your guide will show you where to climb the ramparts, and safely navigate the wall to admire the views and the wall cascading into the lake below.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 hours
Starts: Beijing, China
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Beijing Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Beijing, China, China
This private tour starts with a visit to the site of the Ming Dynasty tombs and includes a visit to the Ding tombs, (or Underground Palace), 89 feet below ground, the only tomb open to the public. On route you’ll pass the grand entrance to the Imperial burial site, The Sacred Way, a decorative walkway lined with impressive sized statues of significance and meaning. Get a glimpse into China’s rich imperial past with the architecture, distinctive wood carvings and ancient relics seen.
After lunch travel to the Huanghuacheng Wall, hike along this wild, original, less visited section, once built in the Ming Dynasty, as part of the inner wall to protect Beijing from a northern invasion. It’s also the only section close to a man-made lake. When the Xishuiyu Dam was built, the wall that crossed the valley floor was flooded. Your guide will show you where to climb the ramparts, and safely navigate the wall to admire the views and the wall cascading into the lake below.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Stone Animal, Ming Tombs, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing 102213 China
Expect to be picked up from your hotel by your professional hiking guide around 8.30 am and driven directly to the site of the Ming tombs, the burial site of 13 of the Ming Dynasty Emperors – about 1.5 hours from the city. It covers an area of 30 acres (12 ha). The Ding Tombs is the only one open to the public.
Marvel at the entrance, known as The Sacred or Spirit Way, a walkway lined with some 36 impressively sized statures; important officials and meritorious figures, exotic animals- lions, camels, elephants, xiezhis, (a mythological unicorn) and the like, each unique or of special significance, which your guide will happily explain.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dingling Underground Palace, Ming Tombs, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing 102213 China
Emperor Wanli, the 13th Ming Emperor had the longest reign of the period ruling for 48 years. His tomb, at 89 feet below ground is well preserved and extravagant. Unusual for a burial place it has five rooms. Some of the Emperor’s jewels and other artefacts are on display. Break for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant before enjoying a scenic drive to the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, a section of the wall less visited, even in Summer time, and still in its original or ‘wild’ condition, unrestored
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling), Ming Shisan Ling Area, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing 102213 China
Learn about the historical significance of the site, its architecture, distinctive wood carvings and ancient relics that provide a rare glimpse into China’s rich imperial past. Then visit the Ding Tombs, known as the Underground Palace, the tomb of Emperor Wanli and his two Empresses.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Water Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, Huanghuacheng Village, Jiuduhe Town, Huairou District, Beijing 101404 China
On arrival at Xishuiyu village, your guide will show you the best path to ascend the ramparts and navigate them safely. The wall here follows quite mountainous terrain and affords quite a spectacular hiking experience. Marvel at the breath taking scenery and view of the wall cascading into the man-made lake below.
When summer arrives the entire village below becomes a sea of wild, yellow flowers (‘yellow flower’ is ‘huanghua’ in Chinese), hence this section’s name.
Overall the pristine setting, lack of crowds, and cool, clear mountain air make this tour a pleasant contrast from visits to other sections of the Wall.
After your descent you’ll be free to wander down by the lake, take a boat ride to see the submerged section of the wall up close or simply return back to your hotel in Beijing, approximately 1.5 hours away where your guide will wish you a fond farewell.
Duration: 2 hours
