Private Garden Tour: The Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden

The tour begins with a convenient hotel pickup from your centrally located hotel in Beijing. Here, you will meet your knowledgeable and experienced English - speaking guide, who will accompany you throughout the day, sharing detailed stories and historical facts about the places you visit.
After pickup, you will board a private vehicle and drive past the impressive stadiums built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. First stop is the Beijing Olympic Park, the venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics.

The Water Cube, officially known as the National Aquatics Center, is an iconic building. Its unique exterior is designed to resemble a "cube of water", with a surface that appears to be made up of countless water - bubble - like structures. These structures not only give it a distinct and modern look but also have practical functions in terms of energy - efficiency and lighting. You will have the opportunity to take photos of this architectural marvel, which hosted many of the swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming events during the Olympics.

Next is the Bird's Nest, the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. With a seating capacity of 91,000 spectators during the Olympics, it is an engineering and architectural masterpiece. The stadium's design is inspired by a bird's nest, with a complex network of steel beams that form an intricate and beautiful structure. You can take photos outside the stadium, marveling at its grandeur and imagining the exciting sports events that took place here.

After visiting the Olympic Park, you will continue your journey to the 18th - century Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage - listed site. Entering from the East Palace Gate, you will be immediately greeted by the grandeur of this imperial garden.​

This is one of the important buildings in the Summer Palace. It was the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu held court and handled government affairs. The hall is decorated with magnificent furniture and imperial symbols. Inside, you can see a throne where the emperor sat, surrounded by various precious antiques and decorations. The architecture of the hall is a blend of traditional Chinese style, with its upturned eaves and wooden structures, reflecting the imperial power and dignity of that time.

Leaving the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, you will walk along the world - famous Long Corridor. The Long Corridor is a covered walkway that stretches for about 728 meters. What makes it truly remarkable is the ceiling, which is adorned with over 14,000 different paintings. These paintings depict a wide range of subjects, including historical stories, legends, landscapes, and flowers. As you stroll along the corridor, you can enjoy these beautiful paintings while taking in the view of the Kunming Lake on one side and the lush gardens on the other.​

After the Long Corridor, you can choose to take a dragon - boat cruise on the Kunming Lake (at your own expense). The lake covers a large area and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. During the cruise, you can admire the pavilions, temples, and bridges that dot the lakeshore. The Western Hills in the distance provide a stunning backdrop, creating a picture - perfect view. You can see the Seventeen - Arch Bridge, which spans the lake and connects the 南湖 Island to the east bank. The bridge is decorated with stone lions of different shapes and sizes, adding to its charm.​

Your tour of the Summer Palace concludes at the Qingyan Stone Boat. This unique and famous structure is located on the northwest shore of Kunming Lake.
The stone boat is made entirely of marble and was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. It has two floors and is decorated with intricate carvings. Not only does it serve as an interesting architectural feature, but it also symbolizes the stability of the imperial power, as the boat will never sink in the water.

Stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious Chinese lunch. Here, you can savor a wide variety of traditional Chinese dishes.
Proceed to the Beijing Botanical Garden, which covers a vast area of 988 acres (400 hectares). Renowned as the largest botanical garden in North China, it houses a rich collection of flowers and trees, many of which are rare species.
In addition to the beautiful plant collections, there are also historical monuments within the garden. You can stroll through the different sections of the garden, enjoying the natural beauty and learning about the various plant species. The garden provides a peaceful and relaxing environment, a welcome contrast to the bustling city.
Your tour concludes with a hotel drop - off. Our driver will safely return you to your hotel, ending a wonderful day of exploring Beijing's famous landmarks. You'll have had a full day filled with history, culture, and natural beauty, creating memories that will last a lifetime.