Beijing is one of six ancient capital cities of China, as well as a world-renowned historical and tourist city. Most of the scenic spots have their religionary connotation. The Temple of Heaven-where the emperor beseeched Heaven to provide good harvests; The Yonghegong Lama Temple-a renowned lama temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism; the Baiyun Guan-has been the most active Taoist temple in Beijing and remains this way today.
Day 1
Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included.
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Day 2
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Great Wall at Mutianyu plus Cable Car(round trip), Sacred Way (Ming Tombs), Beijing Roasted Duck.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner.
Detailed Itinerary:
The Great Wall: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
The Sacred Road: An attractive tree-lined walk which leads to the Ming Tombs, this is bordered by 12 sets each of animal and human statues, and includes the attractive Great Red Gate, housing a stele on the back of a tortoise, and marble memorial archway.
Roasted Duck: In the evening enjoy the Beijing Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of Beijing.
Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, Hall of Clocks and Watches
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
The Temple of Heaven: One of the most famous sites in Beijing, this is Ming architecture at its best: beautiful, controlled, and highly symbolic. The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activity, particularly weekend mornings. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Hutong Tours in Rickshaw, Lama Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch.
Detailed Itinerary:
Hutong in Rickshaw:A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Kindergarten, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.
Lama Temple:The colourful Yonghe Lamasery is the largest and most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It's still very active, and the beautiful halls and courtyards are thronged with devotees come to worship or seek good luck.You can see the world's largest wooden statue (the Matreiya Buddha)and Tibetan exhibitions.
Day 5
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Xiangshan Park, Tanzhe Temple, The White Cloud Taoist Temple/Baiyunguan.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch.
Detailed Itinerary:
- Tanzhe Temple: Appreciating the Tanzhe Temple on the top of a beautiful peak is a way to appreciate the city's splendid history. Inside the temple, there are more than 70 colorful Buddhist pagodas of different sizes. Around the building complex are a multitude of aged trees bearing witness to the ups and downs that the temple underwent. It is an impressive temple to visit, but be warned there is a fair amount of climbing and quite a few steps.
- Baiyun Temple: It's the largest Taoist Temple Architecture of All-True (Quanzhen) School existing at Beijing. The temple was initially built in Kaiyuan Year 27(739) of the Tang Dynasty. The architecture is magnificent and pretty and decorative mainly with the Taoist patterns such as glossy ganoderma, Eight Immortals, Eight Diagrams, red-crowned cranes, full of the features of Taoism. The Chinese Taoism Association is established there.
- Xiangshan Park/Fragrent Mountain Park: it is located on the eastern sides of the Western Hills, the park is very cool and beautiful because of its high elevation and dense cover of trees. Maple leaves in autumn there is especially beautiful.
Day 6
Place & Transport: Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Summer Palace, Cruise in the Summer Palace.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch.
Detailed Itinerary:
The Summer Palace: Much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the lovely landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are set around the lake and rivers in natural harmony. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours here, including a 10 minute boat ride. Renovations (complete in 2010) mean that an individual section or building may be closed at any one time, but this is a huge site. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Cruise in the Summer Palace: It is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China with a history of over 800 years. You can cruise on the lake. It will take 10 minutes by the ferry boat.
Note: If you choose to stay on in Beijing for a few extra days, or arrive a few days early in Beijing, please let us know, and we'd be happy to extend your hotel bookings, or arrange additional tours for you.
* Prices are in US dollars, for one person. Prices are for references only, may vary according to different travel seasons.
* Better discounts are valible when travel in low season from Nov to March.
