Breakfast→Yonghe Temple→Guozijian→Confucius Temple→Lunch→Wudaoying→Prince Gong's Mansion→Afternoon Tea→Dinner→Shichahai
Recommended Arrival Time: 09:00 No matter where you are staying, you can conveniently reach our first destination of the day—Beixinqiao Metro Station, Exit B—by metro or taxi. If you are traveling in a group of 3 to 4 people, taking a taxi is recommended for a more comfortable and efficient journey. A perfect day starts with a delicious breakfast! If you prefer to have breakfast at your hotel, you can skip the "Breakfast"section and head straight to Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) to begin today's itinerary.
Let's begin today's breakfast with two popular choices among Beijingers: Jianbing and Lǎn Lóng.
After finishing breakfast, head north for about 5 minutes, and you will arrive at our first destination of the day, a magical temple known as Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple).
💰 Ticket price: 25 RMB for adults, half price for children ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00—17:00 📷 Recommended visit duration: about 1.5 hours One-line summary: A remarkable temple that produced two emperors About Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) In 1694, the Kangxi Emperor built a mansion here and granted it to his fourth son, Yinzhen—who later became the Yongzheng Emperor. It was then known as Prince Yong's Mansion. In 1725, the mansion was converted into an imperial palace and named Yonghe Gong (Palace of Peace and Harmony). Because it produced two emperors, it became known as a "blessed land where dragons once resided," so its halls feature yellow roof tiles and red walls—the same standards as the Forbidden City. In 1744, Yonghe Temple was converted into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, becoming the highest-status Buddhist temple in China during the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty. Yonghe Temple has a total of 661 rooms, including 238 Buddhist halls. Its architectural style is unique, blending Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and other ethnic building traditions. Today, Yonghe Temple is far more than a temple—it is a top-tier sanctuary filled with Buddhist art treasures. Here you will find three gems of Chinese wood carving art: the Mountain of Five Hundred Arhats, the Giant Sandalwood Buddha, and the Nanmu Buddhist Shrine. Beyond appreciating art, most visitors come to Yonghe Temple to pray for blessings and fulfill vows. Because two emperors once lived here, Chinese people believe this place carries "spiritual energy" that can grant wishes. Every year, millions flock to this small temple, kneel before the Buddha, and silently recite their heart's desires. It has become a beloved "wish-making destination" for young Chinese people today. If you wish to pray for blessings, here is how— First, approach the main prayer hall. Take the free incense you collected earlier (pickup point noted below) and light it at the ignition station. Then, following the example of those around you, carefully place it in the incense burner—please be mindful not to burn yourself. Next, enter the hall. If you are wearing a hat, remove it first. Then kneel on the cushion, press your palms together in prayer, and silently recite your wish. Please note: be as complete and specific as possible. Do not merely say "I want to get rich"—rather, say "I hope that within a certain period, while maintaining good health, family safety, and a happy life, I may receive a specific amount of wealth." Also recite your name and ID number, so the Buddha may remember who you are. After finishing your prayer, keep your hands pressed together above your head, then separate them with palms facing upward, bow down, and gently kowtow. Repeat three times. Many people around you will be doing the same—feel free to follow their example. Do not worry about doing it incorrectly; the Buddha is compassionate and kind, and your sincere heart is what matters most. Oh, and one more thing: if you make a wish, do not tell anyone before it comes true—it may otherwise lose its power. Yonghe Temple Tour Route 1. Mountain Gate (Zhaotai Gate) → 2. Heavenly King Hall (Yonghe Temple Gate) → 3. Mahavira Hall (Yonghe Hall) → 4. Yongyou Hall → 5. Falun Hall → 6. Jietai Hall → 7. Wanfu Pavilion (Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion) → 8. Guanyin Cave → 9. Scripture Library (Suicheng Hall)
Now, let's return to the west gate of Yonghe Temple and proceed to our second destination for the morning: Guozijian Street and Beijing Confucius Temple. Walk 50 meters north from the gate of Lama Temple, you'll see a "paifang" (archway) on the opposite side of the road. This is the famous Guozijian Street, known as one of Beijing's most beautiful Hutong. Here also stands the Confucius Temple, which embodies the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Chinese people.
💰 Ticket price: the ticket price is 30RMB. University and college students can buy tickets at half price with a student ID. Free admission for people aged 60 and above, as well as those under 18, with a passport. ⏰ Opening hours: Closed on Mondays, open from 09:00 to 17:00 on other days. 🗺 Address: 13 Guozijian Street 📷 Recommended visit duration: Approximately 30 minutes. No reservation is required, tickets can be purchased on-site. Introduction to Beijing Confucius Temple This temple served as the site for emperors to offer sacrifices to Confucius during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, spanning 650 years. It houses a statue of Confucius, a significant symbol of Chinese culture, akin to Aristotle in Western culture. Nowadays, many Chinese students visit the temple to pray before exams, hoping to receive "cultural energy" for inspiration, intelligence, and better memory. You might also want to pay a visit and bring some "cultural energy" back home. The temple features the Jinshi Steles Forest, consisting of 198 steles engraved with the names, places of origin, and rankings of 51,624 successful candidates of the imperial examinations, documenting the rise and fall of the examination system. For these top Chinese scholars, having their names placed alongside Confucius is considered a great honor. Let's take a brief look at Confucius—— Confucius (551-479 BC), whose real name was Kong Qiu, is also known by the English name "Confucius," but you can call him "Master Kong." When he was born, he had a depression on his head, resembling a small hill (hence the character "丘" in his name). You can picture this: a man over 6 feet tall, with a remarkable tolerance for alcohol, yet never getting drunk, a sturdy Shandong native. He lost his father at the age of 3 and worked as a warehouse keeper and ranch owner before eventually becoming one of the greatest educators and philosophers in Chinese history, influencing nearly a quarter of the world’s population. His birthday, September 28, is designated as China's "Teacher's Day," making him a true example of grassroots success. As a world-class scholar and educator on par with Aristotle, he was said to have had "3,000 disciples," including both poor young men and rich heirs. He compared education to fishing: "You can only begin to teach when the student shows a desire for knowledge." Education, according to him, should start when a person is ready to learn. His life was one of heroism and romanticism, yet also one of hardship and travel. He did not have the opportunity to hold an official post until the age of 51. In just three months, he made the state of Lu so peaceful that "nothing was lost on the roads." This alarmed neighboring states, who then used beautiful women to trap him. Ultimately, due to his ideas not aligning with the ruling powers of his time, he resigned from his position and traveled the country with his disciples to spread his teachings. Confucius' core teachings are "Ren" (benevolence) and "Li" (ritual propriety). "Ren" can be understood as humanitarian spirit, which is an eternal theme for humanity. It applies to all societies, eras, and governments. His concept of "Li" embodies the spirit of rites, or modern-day order and system, which is a basic requirement for establishing a civilized human society. Confucius' influence on later generations has been profound and lasting. His concepts of "Ren" and "Li" became essential guidelines for state governance and personal self-cultivation; his ideas on education, which promoted the idea of education for all, regardless of social status, have allowed Chinese civilization to continue for millennia; and his systematic organization of ancient texts not only carried his ideals but also enriched the cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. His ideas have evolved over 2,500 years in China and continue to deeply influence the political, economic, and cultural landscape of Chinese society and its political views. Confucius' influence extended beyond China to East Asia, Southeast Asia, and even Europe. His legacy is so great that his statue stands alongside those of Moses and Solon at the entrance of the United States Supreme Court. The Confucius Temple is a must-see destination with several noteworthy attractions. Let us introduce them to you one by one.
💰 Ticket price: The ticket is shared with the Confucius Temple. ⏰ Opening hours: 09:00—17:00 🗺 Address: 13-15 Guozijian Street 📷 Recommended visit duration: Approximately 30 minutes. Introduction to the Imperial College The Imperial College was the only national university during the Ming and Qing dynasties, admitting the most brilliant scholars selected through nationwide exams. It also welcomed foreign students. Placing such a university next to the Beijing Confucius Temple illustrates the hope that the highest academic institution could benefit from the strong "cultural energy" of its neighbor, aiding students in achieving better results. It's worth noting that in the Qing dynasty, every emperor served as a guest professor at the The Imperial College. This allowed students to proudly claim, "The emperor is my teacher."
Average spending: 400 RMB. Whether you buy anything or not is completely fine, and the shop warmly welcomes visitors to look around. Business hours: 10:00-20:00 Estimated visit duration: about 10 minutes Address: No. 23 Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing After visiting the Confucius Temple and the Imperial College, you can stroll through the hutongs and browse some interesting little shops, such as this fragrance store full of Chinese aesthetics, which is well worth a visit— One-line description: A fragrance store with Chinese aesthetics About Guanxia There are various fragrances, aromatherapy products, and bath and body care items. It is full of the essence of China. Here, while taking a short break, you can calm your mind and experience a “Zen” culture that is completely different from that of Japan. Why not bring some of this “Chinese scent” home?
After a busy morning of sightseeing, your delicious breakfast is likely fully digested. Let's try some new, happiness-filled food.
📷Estimated Visit Duration: About 1 hour Length: 632 meters Wudaoying Hutong is a famous gathering place for young people in Beijing. It has many cafes, bars, interesting handicraft shops, and vintage stores, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll.
After leaving Wudaoying Hutong, we will head to the next major attraction, a top-tier mansion that even Emperor Qianlong envied—Prince Gong's Mansion. There are two routes to choose from, depending on your location after exploring Wudaoying Hutong.
💰 Ticket price: No reservation needed, Ticket price: 40 RMB ⏰ Opening hours: closed on Mondays. 08:30-17:00, last entry at 16:10 📷 Recommended visit duration: 2h Prince Kung’s Mansion Introduction An old saying in Beijing goes, "Without Shichahai, there would be no Beijing city," similar to saying "Without the Nile, there would be no Egypt." Shichahai, this natural water body, has been the basis for the planning and construction of Beijing, and remains the city's core. The overall layout influenced by it continues to this day. Prince Kung’s Mansion is the largest mansion by Shichahai, indicating its high status. It is not only the largest prince's mansion from the Qing Dynasty but also the second most significant ancient architecture after the Forbidden City. Its architectural artistry is unparalleled, and its gardens are even larger than those in the Forbidden City. It is said, "Half of the history of the Qing Dynasty can be seen in Prince Kung’s Mansion." The mansion's status comes from its owner—Heshen. He was the most powerful official during Emperor Qianlong's reign and the richest man of the Qing Dynasty. During his time, the Qing Dynasty accounted for 35% of the world's GDP, and his wealth was equivalent to the government's revenue for 16 years, three times that of French Emperor Louis XVI. In today's purchasing power, it would be around 240 billion RMB, approximately 33 billion USD. The building materials of this mansion are also luxurious. There are 68 golden nanmu columns in the entire mansion, each valued at least 400 million USD in today's terms. Calculating this, the economic value of just the golden nanmu columns would be 27.2 billion USD, making it the most luxurious mansion in China. We recommend this attraction because Heshen, as a wealthy and powerful minister, loved the concept of "fortune." In Chinese culture, bats symbolize good fortune due to their homophony with "happiness." It is said that there are 9,999 bat motifs in Prince Kung’s Mansion, and the Fu Hall on the rock resembles a bat spreading its wings. Combined with a stele inscribed with the character "Fu" by Emperor Kangxi, there are a total of 10,000 "Fu" symbols. We hope this 240-year-old mansion brings you good fortune as well. Prince Kung’s Mansion Tour Route 1. Main Gate → 2. Yin'an Hall → 3. Jiale Hall → 4. Baoguang Chamber → 5. Xijin Study → 6. Rear Building → 7. Western Gate → 8. Dule Peak → 9. Bat Pool → 10. Anshan Hall → 11. Liubei Pavilion → 12. Bamboo Courtyard → 13. Peony Garden → 14. Yishen Place → 15. Fu Hall → 16. Pingbu Qingyun Path → 17. Yaoyue Platform → 18. Dicui Rock → 19. Fu Stele → 20. Fangtang Waterside Pavilion → 21. Miao Xiang Pavilion → 22. Dragon King Temple → 23. Arrow Path → 24. Duodao Hall → 25. Duofu Pavilion We highly recommand the following spots are rare and worth your detailed attention
After touring Prince Gong's Mansion and a day of intensive sightseeing, we should take it slow now.. Wander freely through the hutongs (alleys), heading roughly eastwards, and in about 20 minutes, you will reach the shores of Shichahai. If you need a break, we recommend a few interesting bars and tea shops nearby.
There are three themes to choose from here: Tea Ceremony, Tea Drinks, and Coffee.
After a well-deserved break, let’s step into the evening and satisfy our empty stomachs. Tonight, we’ve prepared plenty of authentic and delicious treats for you. If you’d like to take this opportunity to try some local Chinese spirits, consider grabbing a bottle of Erguotou (二锅头) or a few beers from a nearby supermarket. Unlike in many other countries, Chinese restaurants typically allow you to bring your own alcohol. Erguotou in Beijing primarily comes in two brands—Niulanshan (牛栏山) and Hongxing Er (红星二). These are Chinese light aroma-style liquors made from high-quality sorghum and wheat, using qu as the fermentation agent and a clear steaming and burning process. Only the purest, richest part of the liquor is used after special treatment. This liquor is a favorite among old Beijingers and has a history spanning hundreds of years. The alcohol content ranges from 43% to 56%, and the small packaging size is 100ml. If you're in a larger group, you can also opt for a full-sized bottle. The alcohol content is around 46%, so please enjoy responsibly.
If you want to return to your hotel after your meal, we have some suggestions. Traffic around Houhai can be challenging, so we recommend against hailing a cab on the spot. The best way is to walk south along the shores of Houhai with the lake on your left. This will lead you to another charming spot— Hehua Market. If you’re not ready to head back to the hotel just yet, here are some interesting nightlife suggestions: To enjoy a drink and watch a jazz performance, we recommend—
So, this delightful day has come to an end. We have provided you with comprehensive public transportation options for your return trip. If you are feeling tired or if it is already past 11:00 PM, taking a taxi is also a good idea.
After this day of mystical exploration, have you felt the "mystical" essence of traditional Chinese culture? Whether it's Buddhism, Confucianism, or seeking blessings for a better life, Chinese people don't mind which deity they pray to. If one deity doesn't fulfill their wishes, they don't hesitate to switch to another. In some places, if there's a severe drought, villagers will worship the Dragon King, who controls rain. If the worship doesn't work, they don't mind exposing and whipping the statue. This attitude might be related to history. In mythological times, only in China did the great flood recede not by divine intervention or an ark, but by the efforts of a mortal named "Da Yu," who led people to dredge rivers, defeat beasts, and ultimately conquer the flood. Perhaps from that day on, the seed of "man can conquer nature" was planted in the Chinese consciousness. So, the essence of Chinese people praying to gods and Buddhas is not to place all hope on them. They always know that the most important factor in achieving dreams is their own efforts. The Chinese call this "man can achieve anything through effort." We hope you can achieve your dreams and, more importantly, hold the most important things in your own hands. Have a good night's sleep, good night. If you enjoyed today's itinerary, please consider giving us a good review. It will be very helpful for others planning to travel to China. Of course, if there was anything you were not satisfied with, please let us know promptly. This will help us continuously improve our services. Thank you very much.
1. This tour is not suitable for Mondays, as Guozijian, Confucius Temple, and Prince Gong's Mansion are closed on Mondays.
2. Please wear comfortable shoes, as there will be quite a bit of walking today.
3. Try to bring a power bank to ensure your phone stays charged.
4. Please do not carry too many items, especially knives or fragile items.
5. Carry at least one bottle of drinking water with you.
6. Remember to bring your passport.
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★ 5.0 / 5 · 7 reviews from app travelers
Yonghe Temple was the surprise of the trip. The incense smoke, the rooftop details, pilgrims of every age praying at the huge statues — it felt alive, not museumified. Then the Confucius Temple and Imperial College next door provide a completely different stillness. Prince Gong's Mansion shows how the rich lived, with a garden that rivals the best I saw in Beijing. A rich, layered day.
Fascinated by the fortune culture angle of this tour. At Yonghe Temple you see why locals say it is a popular place to pray for good fortune; the Confucius Temple and Guozijian add the scholarly side, and Prince Gong's Mansion — a fascinating historic residence — brings the mythology to life. The guide's practical tips on how to pray properly were genuinely useful.
Die Idee, am Konfuzius-Schrein um „Gelehrsamkeit“ zu bitten, fand ich sehr sympathisch, und die Stelenhalle der kaiserlichen Akademie verdient Zeit. Der Duft im Lama-Tempel Yonghe hat einen Grund – selbst ich als Nichtgläubige habe andächtig mitgebetet.
I loved how this day balanced depth with breathing room. Yonghe Temple felt especially moving in January—the incense, the chanting atmosphere, and the sight of the towering sandalwood Buddha created a kind of silence you can actually feel. The transition to Guozijian and the Confucian Temple gave the day an intellectual thread, and Prince Gong’s Mansion added a softer, garden-like elegance with its “fortune culture” symbolism. I appreciated that everything flowed logically—no stress figuring out routes—so I could focus on details and mood. Small touches helped too: browsing Wudaoying Hutong at my own pace, then ending near Shichahai where the evening feels gentle rather than overwhelming. The simple local breakfast set (soy milk and the “five-grain double-egg” pancake) was also comforting in winter.
Учить у местных жест молитвы — забавно, а стелы храма Конфуция показали мне, что значит «вес учёности». Все пояснения были и на английском — мне, с моим наполовину китайским, совершенно не пришлось волноваться о языке.
This tour hit a totally different mood: incense, quiet courtyards, and that “older Beijing” atmosphere. Yonghe Temple felt genuinely powerful in winter—less crowded, more time to absorb the details. The Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy area added a thoughtful, academic angle that balanced the spiritual side. Prince Gong’s Mansion was my surprise favorite—grand but also personal, like you can imagine how people actually lived there. The hutong stretch around Wudaoying and Shichahai was a great break for food and coffee. I liked that I didn’t have to guess etiquette or what’s “appropriate”—the pacing made it comfortable.
More ideas for a day you’ll remember.
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour