Meet your guide in your Beijing hotel lobby and travel by private vehicle to the Beihai Park. This imperial lakeside park houses the Fangshan Restaurant, Beijing's oldest imperial restaurant. It was founded by chefs who cooked for China's last emperor. On arrival, savor a set menu of dishes once beloved by China's rulers, accompanied by drinks.
Afterwards, stroll through Beihai and climb the man-made hill in Jingshan Park. Learn how and why the hill was built, and gaze over the beautifully lit-up north gate of the Forbidden City and other landmarks.
Stroll along Lotus Market in the Back Lakes (Houhai) area, seeing its night-time bars and lake water, and take in the historical Yandai Xie hutong and Drum Tower, Beijing's medieval timepiece.
Then, drive to Beijing Olympic Village. View the floodlit Bird's Nest stadium, Water Cube, and Ling Long Pagoda here, and pass the innovative dragon-shaped Pangu complex, complete with a 7-star hotel forming its tail.
Then drive to Tiananmen Square, and stroll around the dazzling, illuminated plaza or take photos from your vehicle - the choice is yours. Vistors could not get inside the Square in the evening, but could walk around it. Finally, admire modern Beijing's bright lights along Chang'an Avenue and CBD before a hotel drop-off concludes your tour.
