Private Tour: Ming Tombs and Great Wall at Mutianyu from Beijing

You full-day tour starts with early morning pickup at your Beijing hotel. Chat with your private guide as your private driver travels about 26 miles (42km) during the scenic one-hour drive that takes you to the Ming Tombs. One of Beijing’s major historic landmarks, the Ming Tombs (Ming Shisan Ling) were built in the early 1400s for the Yongle Emperor that built the Forbidden City. Your private guide shares the history of the UNESCO World Heritage site, including stories about the excavations of these imperial tombs. Follow your guide to Chang Ling Tomb, one of the best-preserved tombs from the Ming Dynasty, and admire the grand halls that lead to the Hall of Eminent Favors, which holds a statue of the Yongle Emperor and features a sumptuos interior with columns made from cedar wood. Next up, relax as you feast on a traditional Chinese lunch. Afterward, stop at the Longdi Jade Factory to learn about jade and see a carving demonstration. Then, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, which is considered one of the best restored sections of the Great Wall, yet there are fewer crowds there compared to other sections. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall extends about 1.5 miles (2.5km), and stands about 26 feet (8 meters) high and 16 feet (5 meters) wide, first constructed approximately 1,400 years ago then rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) as a military alternative to the Great Wall at Badaling. The Mutianyu section boasts grand military towers, flanked by lush trees on either side. Have the option to ride up to the top by cable car (own expense) and take in sweeping views of the Great Wall stretching across the hills. On the way back to Beijing, stop at a local shop to view Ming Dynasty cloisonné artwork, ranging from colorful enamel bowls to intricately designed vases. Your tour ends when your driver and guide drop you off at your hotel in the late afternoon.

• Private transport with a professional driver

• Private English-speaking tour guide

• Air-conditioned vehicle

• Hotel pick-up & drop-off within 4th Ring Circle Highway

• Admission tickets

• Entry/Admission - Mutianyu Great Wall

• Entry/Admission - Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)

• Cable car ride

• Gratuities