Morning — Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved imperial garden in China, originally created in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong as a royal retreat and extensively rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi in 1888. Centered on Kunming Lake, which covers about three-quarters of its 290-hectare area, the garden blends natural hills, bridges and pavilions in classic Chinese landscape design. Walk the 728-meter Long Corridor, whose beams are painted with thousands of scenes from Chinese opera and folklore, and admire the lake, the Marble Boat and the lakeside pavilions. Your guide will explain how the garden fuses architecture with nature to create a sense of harmony and tranquility.
Lunch — Vegetarian Restaurant near the Summer Palace (Included)
Enjoy a light, healthy vegetarian lunch at a restaurant near the Summer Palace, included in your tour.
Afternoon — Traditional Tea Ceremony
In the afternoon, visit a traditional tea house in a quiet setting for an authentic Chinese tea ceremony led by a professional tea master. Learn about the major tea families — green, black (hong cha) and oolong — how they are grown and processed, and the correct way to brew and appreciate each one. Sip tea mindfully to the sound of traditional Chinese music, and if you wish, purchase high-quality loose-leaf tea as a souvenir (optional).
Evening (Optional) — Relaxing Massage & Light Dinner
For a complete wellness day, you may visit a nearby traditional Chinese massage parlor for a relaxing treatment to relieve the day's fatigue (optional), followed by a light vegetarian dinner before returning to your hotel. (Evening activities are optional and not included.)
