Beijing Private Day Tour to Ming Tombs

The journey, in full

Your private guide and driver will arrive at your hotel within the 4th Ring Road of Beijing in the morning, waiting for you to start the day's itinerary. First, you will head to the Ming Tombs, with your English-speaking guide accompanying you throughout the journey. En route, you will drive past Olympic Park, where you can catch sight of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and Water Cube—landmarks of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Ming Tombs, a cluster of 13 royal mausoleums of the Ming Dynasty, are situated in Changping District, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing. Your first stop is the Sacred Way, a vital part of imperial cemeteries. Initially built for Changling, the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Di, it later served as the main thoroughfare for all 13 tombs. Though part of the same complex, each mausoleum stands independently. Your knowledgeable guide will walk with you along the Sacred Way, shedding light on the significance of each stone statue lining the path. Subsequently, you will meet your driver again and proceed to Dingling Underground Palace. Dingling is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, who reigned the longest among all 16 Ming emperors. Construction began when he was just 22 and took 6 years to complete, finishing in 1590. Upon his death, he was buried here alongside his two empresses. Your guide will share detailed stories of the Ming Dynasty's history and the life of the tomb's owner, allowing you to marvel at the intricate burial culture of that era. Next, you will visit Changling Tomb, the resting place of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), the third Ming emperor. As the largest and best-preserved mausoleum among the Ming Tombs, it consists of three magnificent courtyards. The most striking feature is Ling'En Dian, a grand hall where the interior columns and brackets remain unpainted, forming a striking contrast with the green ceiling panels. After exploring the tombs, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Changping Town. Afterwards, you will head back to downtown Beijing. On the return journey, if traffic permits, you will drive past the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadiums for a photo stop. Your guide and driver will send you back to your hotel to complete the day's itinerary.