Explore Beijing and its most popular attractions on this week-long China tour. Visit the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. Hike along the renowned Great Wall, try your hand at cooking Chinese cuisine, and explore the magical Art Zone that has cropped up in the former industrial center of Beijing. This tour is a great introduction to the best China highlights in Beijing.
Highlights
Bike through the Hutong District & experience how locals live
Wander art galleries of the Danshanzi District
Participate in an authentic Chine cuisine cooking class
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
This morning start your China tour off with a visit to Tian'anmen Square. See the Tian'anmen Tower, National Museum of China, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the Monument to the People's Hero. Next head to the Forbidden City, a World Heritage Site which holds the legacy of emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties starting in 1420.
After lunch enjoy a biking tour of the nearby hutongs, or 'old neighborhoods', for an up-close perspective of how the locals live. Visit the Houhai area, Drum Tower, Lama Temple and royal Tibetan Monastery, and finish at Wangfujing, the popular local market and shopping district that once housed the Qing Dynasty aristocrats. Enjoy dinner this evening at Dadong Roasted Duck Restaurant for the chance to try the renowned culinary delight, Peking duc
This morning drive 2 hours and take the cable car to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a less touristy section than other locations. Hike around here for 1-2 hours exploring this 6th century section of the World Cultural Heritage Site which was restored during the Ming Dynasty. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit next the Summer Palace, a quiet royal retreat that epitomizes the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design. Wander through the unique landscape design and palaces along Longevity Hill overlooking Kunming Lake. This evening, visit Olympic Park to see the two 2008 Olympics stadiums, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, and their dazzling light display at night.
*Modify your trip: A full day Jinshanling hike, two day overnight hike, or a multi-day trek can be planned in place of Mutianyu.
Today you visit the Temple of Heaven, a Ming Dynasty creation built in 1420 to offer sacrifice to heaven. Learn about how its landscape design and construction reflected ancient Chinese thought regarding heaven and earth.
This afternoon enjoy firsthand instruction at the Cuisine Cooking School. Learn how to cook four main dishes and observe a chef's demonstration. Chop, mix, and stir fry your dishes during the course. This evening attend an acrobatics show in Beijing or explore on your own.
This morning wander the 798 Art zone in the Dashanzi area. Explore the decommissioned military factories built 50 years ago that now have been transformed into a vibrant village lined with art galleries and local cafes. Contemporary artists, architects, and tourists alike are drawn to this unique evolution of urban culture.
Enjoy the rest of your day free to explore as you like. Your guide is available to escort you to any part of the city you might like to see.
Day 6: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer back to the airport for your return flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,437
Notes
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Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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Mary Curry. And AL’s discount policy.
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Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.