Beijing Historical Tour: Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Pandas

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration7h

GroupUp to 999

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Walk through eight centuries of imperial history, then watch pandas play.

This full-day Beijing tour visits the Lama Temple—one of the region's most important sacred sites—and the Summer Palace, the emperors' retreat renovated by the Empress Dowager Cixi in the 19th century. You'll see the 60-foot Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree, stroll the palace grounds and ornate rooms, then travel to the panda garden. An English-speaking guide provides commentary on Beijing's history and culture throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned coach, Chinese lunch and all admission tickets are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Lama Temple, Summer Palace, and Pandas

Explore Lama Temple and its architecture
Tour the historic Summer Palace and park
See giant pandas at the Panda Garden

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel (or from Prime Hotel at 7:30 AM if you're outside the 4th Ring Circle Highway) and heads to the Lama Temple, one of Beijing's most sacred spaces. The temple reveals architectural styles from Han, Mongolian, Manchurian and Tibetan traditions, and its centerpiece is the 60-foot Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood. Your guide walks you through the different halls and explains the religious and cultural significance of what you're seeing.

From there, the route moves to the Summer Palace, the historic retreat used by emperors for eight centuries. The Empress Dowager Cixi oversaw major renovations in the 19th century, including the manmade lake that is now one of Beijing's most visited parks. You tour the ornate palace buildings and have time to stroll the grounds and take photos. After lunch—a Chinese-style meal included in the tour—you head to the panda garden, one of the highlights for most visitors to Beijing. You'll watch the pandas and learn about their role as a living Chinese treasure.

The tour also includes stops at a jade store and tea house, where you can browse and learn about traditional crafts. Throughout the day, your guide answers questions and provides background on modern Beijing alongside the historical sites. The full day runs about seven hours, and you're returned to your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off (or meeting point at Prime Hotel if outside the 4th Ring).
transport by deluxe air-conditioned coach.
English-speaking professional guide.
admission tickets to the Lama Temple and Summer Palace.
Chinese-style lunch.
time for photos and questions at each site.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hantang International Travel Service

Is this one for you?The English-speaking guide means you follow the history and cultural details at each site without needing to read ahead or rely on a translation app—the commentary flows as you walk through the temples and palace grounds.