Beijing Tour: the Forbidden City, Hongqiao Market, Acrobatic Show and Gourmet Beijing Duck Dinner

Beijing, China

Spend an afternoon getting a closer look at the many things that Beijing has to offer by visiting one of the most famous imperial palace in the entire world: The Forbidden City. After that you’ll visit the Hongqiao market for some shopping, watch a dazzling acrobatics show and taste one of Beijing’s best and most famous dishes, Peking duck, for dinner.

Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel in Beijing city centre to start this tour.

First, your guide will bring you to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City to experience some of the most amazing historical sites of one of the greatest empires in the world. These sites will help you understand just how impressive China’s history is, and you’ll be able to gain a deeper understanding of it with our tour guide’s explanation. In imperial China, only the emperor, deemed the ‘son of heaven,’ was allowed to pass through the central meridian gate into the palace. However, today, you can also experience the majestic palace fit for emperors first-hand. 

Afterwards, learn about the history and manufacture of Chinese silk with a visit to one of Beijing’s principal silk factories. Witness the very process from the harvesting of silk using worms to the weaving of delicate finished silk products.

Our guide will then lead you through the vibrant Hongqiao Pearl Market. Popular among tourists and locals alike, the market offers just about everything you can think of – electronics, clothes, shoes, jewelry, art and crafts, and of course, pearls! Providing pearls to foreign embassies and other high-profile shoppers such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (no less than three times), the pearls offered at this market are of exceptional range and quality.

In the evening, enjoy a classical Chinese Acrobatics Show at Jinsha Theater. With an aim to bridge Chinese traditional culture with the world. Watch, from the edge of your seat, unbelievable acts of balance, dance, juggling and more.

A tour of Beijing could not be complete without one of China’s finest cuisines. Prepared since the imperial era, Peking Duck is hailed as one of China’s most popular and delicious specialties. Prized for its crispy skin and tender meat, and served and eaten in a special way, it’s a must-have experience for any visitor in Beijing. Our guide will be sure to show you the traditional way of eating Peking Duck!

After dinner, the tour will end with a transfer back to your hotel.