Beijing Ming Tombs & Summer Palace Tour with Local Guide

Summary

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.

What’s the experience like?

“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.

Step-by-step itinerary

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

Top questions

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.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infant seats and stroller access are available upon request.

Does this tour operate year-round?

The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for comfort.

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.