The prime minister on Monday afternoon AEDT toured the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, visited by Mr Whitlam on his landmark trip in 1973 as the first Australian leader to visit China.
But when offered the chance, Mr Albanese opted not to recreate a photo of the former Labor prime minister at the Echo Wall.
Mr Albanese was joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian.
During the tour, the ambassador offered ideas for pictures to mirror Mr Whitlam's trip five decades ago.
"Can I make a suggestion? This was where Gough Whitlam had his photo taken," Mr Xiao said.
In response, the prime minister said: "The ambassador is all over it".
Mr Albanese asked Senator Wong to stand beside him at the Echo Wall for a picture and the pair later walked side-by-side through the historical site.
Speaking to reporters after his tour, Mr Albanese said it had been an opportunity to retrace history.
"The Labor Party does care about our history," he said.
Australia's Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher also accompanied Mr Albanese at the temple and will join him in his meeting with Mr Xi on Monday evening at the Great Hall of the People.
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