Beijing Ming Tombs & Summer Palace Tour with Local Guide

Explore Beijing’s Ming Tombs and Summer Palace in one day

You’ll walk Beijing’s Sacred Way among ancient statues, explore underground tombs at Dingling or Changling with a local guide, and wander through the gardens and painted corridors of the Summer Palace. With hotel pickup and lunch included, you’ll get close to imperial history in ways you’ll remember long after the trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Ming Tombs Entry included 1h
2. Dingling Tomb Entry included 1h

Day 1: Explore Ming Tombs and Sacred Way

• Walk along Sacred Way statues
• Visit Dingling or Changling Tomb
• Lunch at local restaurant

Day 2: Visit Summer Palace Highlights

• Tour Summer Palace grounds
• See Palace of Benevolence and Longevity
• Explore Hall of Jade Ripples
• Walk along Long Corridor
• View Marble Boat
• Optional boat ride on Kunming Lake

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Beijing, entry fees to all major sites like the Ming Tombs and Summer Palace, bottled water throughout the trip, guidance from a professional local guide, private vehicle transport all day, plus a traditional lunch at a neighborhood restaurant before heading back to your hotel in the evening.

Times

• Every day 06:30 07:30 08:30 09:00 10:00

Another time? ›

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Transfer+Tickets Guide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 10:00 Choose this option for a private transfer and tickets with no tour guide, so you visit the sites on your own while the driver waits for you. Pickup is included.

Guided Tour Guide in English · 07:30, 08:30, 09:00 and 10:00 Choose this option for an English-speaking guide, private transfer and entrance tickets; lunch is not included. Pickup is included.

From US$ 98 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates and prices

Information

Days and times Every day 5 departure times: 06:30, 07:30, 08:30, 09:00 and 10:00 Another time? ›

Group Private 1 group tour ›

Live guide English Other languages ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Ages Adult (11 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Unique Beijing Tours

The experience

“If you listen closely, you can almost hear the emperors,” our guide Mr. Chen said as we started down the Sacred Way. I wasn’t sure what he meant until we passed those ancient stone animals (lions with mossy paws, camels that looked half asleep) all lined up under a sky that felt heavy with stories. The air was cool and smelled faintly of pine needles, and for a moment it really did feel like the past was just out of sight. Mr. Chen told us how each statue had its own job protecting the tombs, but honestly I got distracted by a local kid trying to balance on one of the stone turtles (his grandma scolded him in rapid-fire Mandarin).

We had a choice between Dingling or Changling at the Ming Tombs. We picked Dingling because you can actually go underground there. It’s kind of chilly down in those burial chambers. My glasses fogged up when we came back out. The carvings on the walls were so detailed I kept running my fingers over them (gently, promise). Mr. Chen explained some burial customs: apparently they used nanmu wood for certain halls because it never rots, which is wild. Lunch after that was at this local spot where I tried something called zhajiangmian. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin, probably butchered it.

The Summer Palace felt like a different world: sunlight bouncing off Kunming Lake, old men playing cards under willow trees, kids chasing each other along the Long Corridor. There are thousands of paintings overhead. I only recognized maybe two stories but still found myself craning my neck every few steps. We saw the Marble Boat too. It looks almost out of place but somehow fits? Our guide pointed out where Empress Dowager Cixi used to sit and watch the water. I still think about that view sometimes, especially how quiet it got right before sunset.

Traveler reviews

4.69 ★★★★★ Excellent 13 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long does this private Beijing tour last?

The tour is a full-day experience including travel time from your hotel within Beijing’s 4th ring road.

Is lunch included in this Ming Tombs & Summer Palace tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in your day trip.

Can I choose which Ming Tomb to visit?

You can choose between Dingling (underground palace) or Changling (main hall) during booking.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees for included attractions are covered in your booking.

Is hotel pickup available anywhere in Beijing?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Beijing’s 4th ring road area.

Does this tour operate year-round?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for comfort.