4 DAY DISCOVER BEIJING E-BIKE TOUR

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is an expansive imperial palace complex in Beijing, China, that served as the home and political center for Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. Constructed from 1406 to 1420 by the Ming dynasty, it was the residence of 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Its name comes from the severely restricted access; ordinary people were forbidden to enter. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s largest preserved royal palace complex and houses the Palace Museum. It remains a supreme example of traditional Chinese palatial architecture.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, China, is one of the largest city squares in the world. Its name comes from the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) to its north, which leads to the Forbidden City.

Covering roughly 44 hectares, the square is one of the great open spaces of any world capital, flanked by the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum of China. Early risers can watch the daily national flag-raising ceremony performed by an honor guard at dawn. For riders on our route, the square is the natural gateway to the Forbidden City, whose entrance lies just beyond the Tiananmen Gate to the north.

Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant (Forbidden City Branch)

Founded in 2008, Si Ji Min Fu is a leading Beijing cuisine chain known for its premium roast duck. It successfully blends traditional dishes with modern presentations. The brand has expanded to about 20 outlets in Beijing and Shanghai, with its Forbidden City branch famous for its scenic views. Popular for both its signature duck and dishes like Beile Roast Meat, it consistently ranks on top dining lists. The average cost is 150-200 RMB per person. Due to its popularity, expect significant waiting times at peak hours.

Nanluoguxiang / Houhai

Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷), established during the Yuan Dynasty, is a historic hutong area featuring a unique "centipede" street layout. It blends traditional courtyard architecture with a lively, trendy mix of boutiques, cafes, and street food. The adjacent Houhai (后海) is the central lake in the Shichahai area, once the Grand Canal’s terminus, boosting its early prosperity. Known for picturesque scenery, it’s surrounded by historic sites like Prince Gong’s Mansion and offers a famous bar street for vibrant nightlife.

The Shuiguan Great Wall

The Shuiguan Great Wall is a less-crowded, yet historically significant, section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, located near the Badaling section in Beijing’s Yanqing District. Its name, "Shuiguan" (Water Pass), derives from its original function as a crucial military pass built across a valley to control water flow and provide strategic defense.

Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, this part of the wall showcases impressive architecture, including beacon towers and battlements, often winding steeply up mountain ridges. It served as a critical defense line protecting the capital from northern invasion.

CycleQuest Mentougou Base

The CycleQuest Mentougou Base serves as the ultimate gateway for your Beijing cycling adventure. Strategically located at the foot of the Western Hills, this hub is designed for "Industrial Chic" utility, offering premium bike rentals, professional mechanical support, and a community lounge for riders. From here, you have immediate access to Beijing’s premier climbing routes, including the legendary Miaofeng Mountain, or the scenic Yongding River Greenway. Whether you are picking up high-end gear or fine-tuning your itinerary, the base provides a seamless transition from the city to the mountains, ensuring you start your journey fully equipped and inspired.

Nanmen Shuanrou Hotpot (Tiantan Branch)

Hongyuan Nanmen Shuanrou is a legendary pillar of Beijing’s culinary scene, famous for its traditional copper-pot mutton hot pot. Established in 1994 near the South Gate of Temple of Heaven, it is beloved for its commitment to "Old Beijing" authenticity. The experience centers on pristine, hand-cut mutton cooked in clear water to highlight the meat’s natural quality. Their "Secret Recipe" sesame dipping sauce—often garnished with a signature smiley face made of chive flower and fermented bean curd—is iconic. With its bustling atmosphere and classic decor, it offers a timeless taste of local culture that perfectly complements a day of urban exploration.

Wangping Ancient Road

Wangping Ancient Road is not only a millennium-old commercial thoroughfare, but also a three-dimensional historical textbook. Every polished blue flagstone and every deeply etched hoof print tells the tales of its former prosperity and vicissitudes. Wandering along it, you can not only appreciate the artistic conception of "ancient road, west wind, lean horse" but also feel the pulse of history. It is an ideal destination around Beijing for exploring historical culture and getting close to natural scenery.

Tanzhe Temple: ( Beijing's Oldest Temple )

Dating back over 1,700 years (founded in 307 AD), Tanzhe Temple is the oldest recorded temple in the Beijing area. A famous proverb states: "First there was Tanzhe Temple, then there was Beijing City.”

Nestled in the Western Hills of Mentougou, its name comes from the Dragon Pool (Tan) and the surrounding Zhe trees. Historically a royal pilgrimage site favored by the Ming and Qing courts, the temple's halls, courtyards and pagodas follow the natural slope of the mountain, and its famous relics include the "Emperor Tree," a massive ginkgo over a millennium old.

Qianling Mountain North Gate

The Qianling Mountain North Gate serves as a scenic entry point to the Qianling Mountain Natural Scenic Area, located in Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District. With an altitude of approximately 400 meters, this area is deeply rooted in local religious history.

The scenic area centers on Buddhist culture and features over 30 historic caves of varying sizes, such as the Guanyin Cave, Jile Cave, and Guan Gong Cave. These ancient grottoes blend elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and folklore. The North Gate offers cyclists and hikers direct access to these cultural relics and the mountain’s natural beauty, providing a refreshing escape into Beijing’s western hills.

Na Jia Xiao Guan ( Imperial-Inspired Beijing Cuisine)

Na Jia Xiao Guan is a beloved Beijing restaurant that serves imperial-style Manchu-Han cuisine in an elegant Qing-dynasty setting. Signature dishes include the slow‑simmered Huang Tanzi soup and crispy honey‑glazed prawns, both rich in history and flavor. With its nostalgic courtyard atmosphere and multiple locations (including the 798 Art District and Fragrant Hills), it offers travelers a memorable taste of old Beijing – making it a perfect dining recommendation on your tour.

Shougang Park: Industrial Transformation

Shougang Park is a striking urban regeneration project in Beijing, converting the century-old, decommissioned factory of the Shougang Group (Capital Iron and Steel Company) into a vibrant cultural and technological hub.

This site gained global fame as a key venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, hosting the unique Big Air Shougang ski-jumping platform—a dramatic structure set against the park's iconic industrial cooling towers and blast furnaces.

Yonghe Temple

The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Lama Temple, is one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. Originally built as an imperial palace for Prince Yong in 1694, it was later converted into a lamasery during the Qing Dynasty. This breathtaking complex features five main halls adorned with exquisite frescoes and intricate carvings. Its crown jewel is the 18-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood, a Guinness World Record holder.

Prince Kung’s Mansion

Prince Kung’s Mansion (Gong Wang Fu) is one of Beijing’s most exquisite and best-preserved imperial estates, offering a rare glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Qing Dynasty elite. Originally built in 1777, it served as the lavish residence of He Shen, a powerful official known for his immense wealth and influence. Later, it was granted to Prince Kung, a pivotal statesman in late imperial China. The mansion is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture, featuring grand courtyards and a stunning 28,000-square-meter garden. Visitors can explore ornate pavilions, serene ponds, and the famous "Fu" (Fortune) stele, which is hidden in a secret cave.

Xian Lao Man

For a true taste of local life, we visit Xian Lao Man, a celebrated institution famous for serving some of Beijing’s most authentic dumplings. The name literally translates to "fillings are always full," a promise delivered through every handcrafted piece. This restaurant is a favorite among locals for its thin-skinned, juice-filled jiaozi and an extensive menu featuring dozens of unique flavor combinations—from classic pork and fennel to savory vegetarian blends.

Beyond its legendary dumplings, Xian Lao Man offers a variety of "Old Beijing" comfort foods in a bustling, unpretentious atmosphere. It provides the perfect culinary immersion, allowing you to refuel like a local while savoring the rich, hearty flavors that have defined the capital’s food culture for generations.

Confucius Temple

The Beijing Confucius Temple is a sanctuary of wisdom and tradition, standing as the second-largest temple dedicated to the great sage in China. Established in 1302, this historic site served as the center of imperial ceremonies honoring the philosopher whose teachings shaped Chinese civilization for millennia. The complex is famous for its "Forest of Steles," housing stone tablets inscribed with the names of over 50,000 scholars who passed the grueling imperial examinations. Walking through its ancient, cypress-lined courtyards offers a serene retreat, reflecting the scholarly elegance and intellectual legacy of China’s imperial past—a perfect final stop for cultural reflection.