Beijing Travel Guide

Since our earliest years, we all feel an inexplicable yearning for Tiananmen. The very mention of Beijing fills us with national pride. This city symbolizes the rise of the Chinese nation, represents China’s image as a great country, is the birthplace of dreams, and is our shared capital, our shared home – and our shared destination. 【Beijing – The Imperial Capital】When it comes to Beijing, several iconic labels spring to mind: 1. Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, a municipality directly under the central government, the national political and military center, the great heart of the motherland; 2. Beijing is the economic hub of the country, gathering top talent and cutting-edge enterprises – a future super city; 3. It is a cradle of early civilization, the excavation site of “Peking Man” from 700,000 years ago; 4. It served as the national capital for three major dynasties, successively the capitals of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. 【Imperial Rhythm】The Palace Museum (Forbidden City), the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven Park, the Lama Temple, the Great Wall and more are all surviving historical treasures. In this modern metropolis infused with a strong imperial aura, we can admire the majestic and exquisite palaces, sense the elegance and refinement of royal gardens, and feel as if every brick, every tile, every stone pillar and portico transports us back to that flourishing empire. 【Specialty Cuisine】Beyond the imperial feasts and rare delicacies like the Manhan Banquet, countless folk specialities abound: Beijing roast duck, old Beijing zhajiang noodles, old Beijing copper pot mutton hotpot, quick-fried tripe, luzhu stew, fermented bean juice, lǘdagunr (glutinous rice rolls), pea flour cake, and many more. 【Treasure Halls of Curiosities】【National Museum of China】Here are gathered the five thousand years of Chinese civilization; it is the ancestral hall and temple of Chinese culture. In this supreme national museum of history, culture and art, we encounter China’s outstanding traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture. With a collection of over 1.4 million items, it fully showcases and bears witness to the continuous, brilliant bloodline of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. 【China Science and Technology Museum】Vividly and entertainingly demonstrates the greatness and joy of science and technology. The museum’s main educational form is exhibition-based learning, integrating scientific, knowledge-based and interesting content with interactive participation to reflect scientific principles and technological applications. It encourages visitors to explore through hands-on practice, not only popularizing scientific knowledge but also cultivating scientific thinking, method and spirit. The new building features five themed exhibition halls – “Science Paradise”, “The Light of China”, “Exploration and Discovery”, “Science, Technology and Life”, and “Challenge and the Future” – as well as public space displays and four special-effect cinemas including a dome theater (which also functions for astronomical shows), a giant screen cinema, a motion simulator cinema, and a 4D cinema. In addition, it houses multiple laboratories, classrooms, popular science lecture halls and multi-function halls. 【Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution】Displaying over ten thousand military artifacts, this is China’s first comprehensive military museum, with an exhibition area of nearly 60,000 square meters and 43 exhibition halls (zones). Here we can see aircraft, artillery, naval vessels, missiles, firearms, ammunition, cold weapons, medals, insignia, seals, coins, pottery, porcelain, implements, uniforms, flags, documents, manuscripts and more. The collection mainly reflects the military history of the People’s Liberation Army, ancient and modern Chinese military history, and world military history, with featured artifacts including weapons, uniforms, insignia and military-themed artworks. The museum now holds over 160,000 items, with 1,793 being national first-grade cultural relics. 【Study Tour Activities】1. At the National Museum, we organize a rich treasure-hunt activity, letting these immensely valuable exhibits leave a lasting impression on the children’s minds; 2. At the Forbidden City, we fulfill missions, seeking out pivotal historical moments as if traveling through time to uncover the truth; 3. At the Summer Palace, we carry out an outdoor orienteering challenge, getting up close to this imperial garden through real skills; 4. At Peking University or Tsinghua University, we follow in the footsteps of famous figures and top students, eat in their canteens and walk by the lakes where they jog in the morning; 5. Along Qianmen Street and Nanluoguxiang, we search for the most authentic old Beijing snacks; 6. Wandering old Beijing hutong alleys, we paint our own Peking opera facial masks in a siheyuan courtyard, cultivating an interest in this traditional art; 7. At the Guozijian (Imperial Academy), we don Confucian robes and hold a solemn First Writing Ceremony, attending a genuine Confucian class. 【What You Will Gain】Through this journey, we hope children will truly get to know Beijing, understand key aspects of its three great dynasties, personally experience court culture and life, learn Confucian thought, and build independent living skills. 【Itinerary at a Glance】Day 1: From all corners of the universe – Beijing; Day 2: Tiananmen Square – National Museum – Great Hall of the People – Tiananmen Rostrum – Forbidden City; Day 3: Flag Raising Ceremony (Flag Guard) – Mutianyu Great Wall – China Science and Technology Museum – Bird’s Nest – Water Cube; Day 4: Summer Palace (outdoor orienteering) – Peking University or Tsinghua University – Old Summer Palace; Day 5: Military Museum – Nanluoguxiang – (Peking Opera Mask Painting) – Houhai; Day 6: Guozijian and Confucius Temple (First Writing Ceremony, Confucian class) – Temple of Heaven Park. Day 1: All corners of the world – Beijing Accommodation: Beijing four-star hotel Study focus: Freely experience Beijing’s urban culture. Coming from all directions, we gather here today! After settling into the hotel and freshening up, the rest of the day is free. You can wander around Sanlitun to feel Beijing’s trendy vibes; then head to Wangfujing or Dongdan to soak up the local living atmosphere; or visit the 798 Art District to find your favorites among diverse art forms. In the evening, treat your stomach to the delights of Beijing’s famous night food street – Guijie. At night, admire the city’s enchanting evening scenery. We suggest trying out the Beijing subway and buses for a different experience! Beijing Travel Guide Day 2: Tiananmen Square – National Museum – Great Hall of the People – Tiananmen Rostrum – Forbidden City Study focus: Museum treasure hunt, Forbidden City mission booklet. After breakfast, we assemble and head to Beijing’s center – 【Tiananmen Square】. In the morning, we first visit the 【National Museum】 to launch the “Museum Treasure Hunt”. Following the activity rules, children complete missions while touring the museum. They will experience the history and art the museum presents while enjoying the fun of a game; the treasure hunt encourages them to get to know and understand the museum collections more attentively. Then we visit the 【Great Hall of the People】, freely sensing the atmosphere of this important venue for political activities of the state and people’s organizations. In the afternoon, we ascend the 【Tiananmen Rostrum】 to overlook Tiananmen Square and panoramic views of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Great Hall of the People, and National Museum. After a relaxing break, we head to the 【Forbidden City (Palace Museum)】 to see the collections of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces. Under the guide’s lead, we complete mission booklet activities, fully immersing ourselves in the charm of traditional culture and art. It’s said one shouldn’t miss roast duck when in Beijing; tonight we will enjoy the famous Quanjude roast duck dinner. Beijing Travel Guide Day 3: Flag Raising Ceremony (Flag Guard) – Mutianyu Great Wall – China Science and Technology Museum – Bird’s Nest – Water Cube Study focus: Understanding the composition of the Flag Guard, the background and significance of the construction of the Great Wall. After an early start, we gather at Tiananmen Square to 【watch the flag raising ceremony】. Through the guide’s explanation, we gain a deeper understanding of the origin and historical evolution of the ceremony, and learn about the Flag Guard’s makeup. After the ceremony, we have breakfast – Qingfeng steamed buns – and then, while our energy is still high, we climb the historic 【Mutianyu Great Wall】. Listen to the guide recount the thousand-year history of the Great Wall, tracing back its long past. After descending the Wall and resting, we savor authentic countryside farmhouse dishes from the outskirts of Beijing. In the afternoon, we return to the city and visit the 【China Science and Technology Museum】, which features five themed exhibition halls and public science display areas. We guide children to explore and discover, understand the application of science in daily life, and plant seeds of interest in the “Science Paradise”. This is a magical playground for kids; only here do they realize how fascinating science can be. Next, we take in the exterior of Beijing’s landmark sports architecture, the 【Bird’s Nest】, letting imaginations link this Olympic legacy to a bird’s nest – curiosity shines at this moment. Naturally, we won’t miss the 【Water Cube】, appreciating the facade of this globally acclaimed design that integrates swimming, sports, fitness and leisure. Beijing Travel Guide Day 4: Summer Palace (outdoor orienteering) – Peking University or Tsinghua University – Old Summer Palace Study focus: Summer Palace orienteering mission, tracing the footsteps of Peking University’s luminaries. In the morning, we carry out orienteering missions at the 【Summer Palace】, taking in the full splendor of this imperial garden. You may also take a Cixi pleasure boat (optional, at your own expense). Through game missions, children quickly absorb knowledge about this exquisitely designed ancient garden, playing happily amidst its idyllic scenery. Afterwards, we visit 【Peking University】 or 【Tsinghua University】 campus, unveiling the mystery of these top institutions. Walk along paths once trodden by famous figures, see the views Chinese university students admire while studying. At noon, we eat in a PKU or Tsinghua canteen, experiencing campus life and learning atmosphere. In the afternoon, we visit the 【Old Summer Palace ruins】 from our Chinese textbooks and feel the deep impact of the broken walls left after the burning. In the evening, we dine at the Royal Cuisine Museum, which showcases the essence of Chinese culinary culture and vividly recreates a nearly complete history of imperial health preservation, accompanied by a grand court performance. Note: We will arrange a visit to either PKU or Tsinghua depending on the day’s opening policies; due to time and university visitor policies, only one will be visited. Beijing Travel Guide Day 5: Military Museum – Nanluoguxiang – (Peking Opera Mask Painting) – Houhai Study focus: Understanding Chinese traditional opera, painting Peking opera masks. After breakfast, we head to the 【Military Museum】 to seek out with our own eyes the military equipment usually seen only in movies and TV. Moving through exhibition halls like the Red Army Hall, Anti-Japanese War Hall, Liberation War Hall, Korean War Hall, and Ordnance Hall, we replay grand battle scenes in our minds, marveling at historical developments while cherishing the peace of today. In the afternoon, we head towards Nanluoguxiang, slipping through old Beijing hutong alleys and learning to paint facial masks in a siheyuan courtyard. An instructor leads you deep into the essence of Chinese opera culture. Then we freely stroll down the famous 【Nanluoguxiang】, experiencing hutong life on this old Beijing-flavored lane, and admire the various mansion and courtyard styles along the surrounding alleys. We continue all the way to 【Houhai】, feasting eyes on the stunning sky-and-water scenery and enjoying a leisurely sunset stroll beneath shady green trees. In the evening, freely find dinner among Nanluoguxiang and Houhai. Beijing Travel Guide Day 6: Guozijian and Confucius Temple (First Writing Ceremony, Confucian class) – Temple of Heaven Park Study focus: First Writing Ceremony, wearing Confucian robes and attending a Confucian class. We can set off a bit later today. After breakfast, visit the supreme institution of learning in ancient China’s education system – the 【Guozijian】. Children can don traditional Confucian robes and participate in a fun-filled First Writing Ceremony, experience a Confucian classroom session, and try the head-wagging, rhythmical recitation style of ancient scholars, cultivating an interest in reading through playful interaction. In the afternoon, we tour 【Temple of Heaven Park】, where Ming and Qing emperors performed rituals to Heaven and prayed for bountiful harvests. Here we learn about the relationship between ancient architecture and theology. After the visit, we drop everyone off at Dongzhimen, where the journey ends. We arrive at Dongzhimen Subway Station around 16:00. We recommend booking flights or train tickets departing after 20:00. Beijing Travel Guide