Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1 : Arrive Beijing
Day 2 : Forbidden City & Hutongs Biking Tour
Day 3 : Great Wall & Summer Palace
Day 4 : Temple of Heaven & Cooking Class
Day 5 : Art Zone and Free Afternoon
Day 6 : Return Home

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
Explore Forbidden City and Summer Palace

Places Visited

Asia
China
Beijing
Forbidden City
Mutianyu Section
Summer Palace

Activities

Trip Type

Activity Level

Easy Active

Trip Snapshots

Day 1 Arrive Beijing

Hotels

Arrive into Beijing where you are met by your guide and taken to your hotel.

Day 2 Forbidden City & Hutongs Biking Tour

Hotels
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

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

Day 3 Great Wall & Summer Palace

Hotels
1 Breakfast

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.

Day 4 Temple of Heaven & Cooking Class

Hotels
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

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.

Day 5 Art Zone and Free Afternoon

Hotels
1 Breakfast

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.

Beijing - Hotels

Bamboo Garden Hotel

The Bamboo Garden Hotel is centrally located in downtown Beijing on the west side of Gulou. Designed in a classic Chinese style with a courtyard, bamboo groves, rockeries, and fountains, the hotel also features elegant decorations in the style of the Ming & Qing Dynasties. The Bamboo Garden Hotel offers standard rooms, single rooms, junior suites, luxury suites, and courtyard suites.

Shuangyang Hotel

Shuangyuang Hotel is a full service hotel located with easy access to the Mutianyu Great Wall, Hongluo Temple, Yanqi Lake and Yunmengshan National Forest Park, it is ideally located for day trips. It offers 139 comfortable rooms designed to accommodate the requirements of any traveller. There is also an on-site restaurant serving Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese and Shanghai dishes.

Upgrade

Park Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing

The luxury Park Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing offers personalized services and an abundance of amenities in the heart of Beijing’s cultural and commercial center. Offering 216 stylish and comfortable guest rooms, three unique and authentic restaurants, spacious facilities, and a superb location, the Park Plaza is an ideal choice for both leisure and business guests.

More Beijing Hotels

With a booming population of 22 million people, the bustling Chinese capital city of Beijing invites eager travelers to experience all that it has to offer, from the historic Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, hutongs (old neighborhoods), temples & Buddhist monasteries. It's also the starting point for many of itineraries exploring the Great Wall!

Per person starting at

$1,484

Notes

Select a Date

Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included

5 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
5 Nights Accommodations
- 5 Nights Hotel
4 Days Guide Service
Both International Arrival and Departure Transfers are included.

Excluded

International Flights
China Visa Fee
- US citizens must obtain visa prior to arrival

Budgeting

$90 Meals not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages ($3-$10 ea) are not included with meals
$60 Optional Excursions

Payment & Cancellation Policies

Days Prior to departure	Fee
70 days or more	Deposit
30-69 days	50% of total tour cost
0-29 days	100% of total tour cost

Tanesia Brazington employee head shot — Tanesia B

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.

Gale Cantor