First stop: Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city square (440,000 sq.m.), where you’ll stand where history was made—from the 1949 founding ceremony to the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. Gaze across the square to the distant silhouette of the Forbidden City, a preview of the imperial splendor ahead.

Post a guided stroll through Tiananmen, delve into the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the 720,000-sq.m. former home of 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Wander through 9,000+ rooms, from the grand Outer Court where emperors held ceremonies to the intimate Inner Court of royal life. Your guide will decode the complex feng shui, architectural symbolism, and tales of imperial intrigue hidden within its red walls.

In the late afternoon, journey to the Mutianyu Great Wall, where you’ll choose your ascent: a round-trip cable car or a ski lift to the wall’s 14th-century ramparts. As you traverse the 5,400m intact stretch (with 96% vegetation cover), your guide will share tales of Ming Dynasty military strategies, pointing out watchtowers and explaining how the wall defended China from invasions. Explore ancient beacon towers while learning their role in medieval communication, and let your guide capture candid photos of you against the mountain-hugging backdrop. When it’s time to descend, opt for the thrilling toboggan slide—a scenic ride through the forested slopes, guided by your companion’s historical insights all the way down.