A hike on day 3 of the tour is about 10km and takes about 4 hours to complete. This hike provides a unique view of the Great Wall, its watchtowers and the wild scenery over which it travels.
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: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Hutong Tours in a Rickshaw, Treasure Houses
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant(Lunch), Chinese Dinner at Roasted Duck at Hepingmen(Dinner)
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.
Treasure Houses: Treasure house has undergone 4 time renovations, the present one takes up almost 220 square metres, more than 440 treasures on display belonged to Qing dynasty royalty, half of which have not never been on display in the old one. It's worthy of visiting.
Hutong Tours in a 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, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.
Roasted Duck at Hepingmen: Hepingmen Quanjude Restaurant enjoys a high reputation among domestic and overseas customers for its Beijing roast duck. They have developed their own technique and are famous for outstanding quality. It was established in 1979 and located beside Hepingmen Gate (Peace Gate). The well-known All-Duck Banquet is headed by QUANJUDE roast duck and supported by over 400 dishes with QUANJUDE characteristic flavor.
Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant: Ba Guo Bu Yi is located in Xizhimen next to the Beijing Youth Palace at No. 68 Nanxiao Road. It serves some of the heartiest and most authentic Sichuan fare in town with its traditional Chinese style decorations. Favorite dishes include mapo dofu (tofu braised in chili oil with brown peppers), dandan noodles in spicy peanut-sesame-garlic sauce, lazi jiding (chicken smothered by chilies), steamed fish served with chili-oil sauce and huiguorou (twice-cooked pork).
Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Hiking from Jinshanling Great Wall to Simatai Great Wall
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Si Ma Tai Restaurant (Lunch)
Detailed Itinerary:
Hiking from Jinshanling Great Wall to Simatai Great Wall: Jinshanling Great Wall section is an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts to test themselves against its steep gradients and to enjoy the landscape. Jinshanling to Simatai section is a distance of about 10 km. Only partly restored, it's less crowded, and provides a unique view of the Wall, watchtowers and magnificent scenery. A flying fox (optional) operates at the end of the hike to take hikers to the bottom. This provides a spectacular view of the scenery around and the reservoir under the cable car. Comfortable walking shoes and protection from the weather are a necessity.
Si Ma Tai Restaurant : Si Ma Tai Restaurant is located at the foot of Simatai Great Wall which provides beautiful sunrise and sunset views. It serves a great variety of Chinese delicacy.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Beijing Olympic Green, Li Heng Tang pearl store
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
Temple of Heaven: Situated in the southern part of the city, the temple of heaven covers the total area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420A.D. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activities, particularly weekend mornings.
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. 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.
Beijing Olympic Green(outside tour of Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center): Located at the north end of the central axis of Beijing City, Olympic Green hosts 50% of the competitions in the Olympic Games. With a large area of 1215 hectares, it contains a 760 hectares green forest, National museum, exhibition area, Olympic Village and Olympic competition avenues. Approximately 31 venues are used in Beijing Olympics, including National Stadium, the Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center. You will explore the park, but it doesn't include going inside the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
Jing Mian Da Wang Restaurant(Chong Wen Men Branch): Jing Mian Da Wang specializes in its traditional decoration of old city with archaistic red lanterns & bridal sedan chair, it mainly caters wheaten food to diners from local and different regions, creating a cozy atmosphere of festival and household.
Li Heng Tang pearl store: Lihengtang Pearl Store is a state-run enterprise that cultivates, processes, manufactures and sells all type of fresh water and sea pearl jewelry and products. China is the largest fresh water pearl producer in the world with the main base being Jiangsu and Zhejing province. Famous varieties of seawater pearls include: The Tahitian Black Pearl and Nanyang Golden pearl. Lihengtang Pearl Store offer pearls of all types and quality pearls and cater to all price ranges.
Tel: 010-88467845
Address: No.2 North Gate Kongjunzhihuixueyuan
Day 5
Place & Transport: Depart Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing).
Meals: Breakfast.
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.
