See Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

plus Jingshan Park (Coal Hill)

The Emperor and his imperial court left the Forbidden City each summer to take up residence in the Summer Palace to escape the heat. This purpose built resort is two-thirds water containing Kunming Lake. You can stroll the banks of the lake and enjoy the pavilions, palaces and terraces. If you have time, a boat ride is included.

The Temple of Heaven complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The north/south walk goes through park and historic monuments.

About 1 1/4 hours drive from Beijing, this section of the wall is less touristy than Badaling. Includes gondola tickets up and either gondola or toboggan sled down. If going in the morning you can enjoy a lunch including fresh fish (trout) if you like.

The closest section of the Great Wall to Beijing (40 minutes), also the most touristy and crowded. Mutianyu Section is a better option. Includes admission tickets. Cable car optional (RMB 60).

Be driven around the old alleyways (hutongs) in a cycle rickshaw. You stop at a traditional courtyard home for a cup of tea and get a historic view of hutong life. Also includes a visit to the Drum Tower with panoramic views of old Beijing.

Drive your own electric boat on Houhai Lake (3 or 4 guests per boat, 1 hour) Not available on public holiday times.

Walk through the Swim Cube, an architectural wonder where Olympic history was made in 2008. THIS IS CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 2010.

Walk through the Bird's Nest, where Olympic records were set in 2008.

Walk on the Olympic Green and view the Swim Cube and the Bird's Nest from the outside. This does not include an inside visit to venues.

Chinese culture is on display in the morning. See tai chi and numerous other activities which Chinese participate in to stay young and healthy. A great start to the day.

Full morning or afternoon. Cycle through Beijing's historic hutongs as well as its broad thoroughfares with huge bike lanes. Stops along the way are possible - admission fees not included.

2 hour bike ride in the city, through the hutongs, past Tiananmen and the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

One of the largest parks in Asia, it is great for seeing some green in the city. You can rent 4 wheeled bikes and engage in many amusements for kids. Price of bikes or amusements not included.

Visit the Beijing Zoo and see the panda exhibit as well as other wildlife from around China and the world.

See the zoo and Sichuan Panda exhibit (through fall 2008) as well as visiting the modern new Beijing Aquarium.

First walk the Sacred Way then visit the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

See the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

A temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism, it lies on Beijing's central North/South axis. The monastery was a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet and thus the Yonghe Lamasery was the national center of Lama administration.

A part of the Forbidden City until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, it was opened to the public in 1925. Its scenic lakes and Chinese gardens make a nice stroll, and you can visit the White Pagoda.

See photos and history.

The headquarters of the Chinese Taoism Association, it has about 1,200 years of history.

Have a stroll through Beijing's most popular tourist market and buy your own meal in the neighborhood. The market has lots of designer 'labels' and a plethora of other goods in the 5 levels and over 1000 of stalls in the market. You must bargain very hard, shop around and usually offer 10% of the asking price. Surrounding the market are western restaurants, fast food and good Chinese which all have English menus. You can buy your own meal when you're tired of shopping.

See Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

plus Jingshan Park (Coal Hill)

The Emperor and his imperial court left the Forbidden City each summer to take up residence in the Summer Palace to escape the heat. This purpose built resort is two-thirds water containing Kunming Lake. You can stroll the banks of the lake and enjoy the pavilions, palaces and terraces. If you have time, a boat ride is included.

The Temple of Heaven complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The north/south walk goes through park and historic monuments.

About 1 1/4 hours drive from Beijing, this section of the wall is less touristy than Badaling. Includes gondola tickets up and either gondola or toboggan sled down. If going in the morning you can enjoy a lunch including fresh fish (trout) if you like.

The closest section of the Great Wall to Beijing (40 minutes), also the most touristy and crowded. Mutianyu Section is a better option. Includes admission tickets. Cable car optional (RMB 60).

Be driven around the old alleyways (hutongs) in a cycle rickshaw. You stop at a traditional courtyard home for a cup of tea and get a historic view of hutong life. Also includes a visit to the Drum Tower with panoramic views of old Beijing.

Drive your own electric boat on Houhai Lake (3 or 4 guests per boat, 1 hour) Not available on public holiday times.

Walk through the Swim Cube, an architectural wonder where Olympic history was made in 2008. THIS IS CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 2010.

Walk through the Bird's Nest, where Olympic records were set in 2008.

Walk on the Olympic Green and view the Swim Cube and the Bird's Nest from the outside. This does not include an inside visit to venues.

Chinese culture is on display in the morning. See tai chi and numerous other activities which Chinese participate in to stay young and healthy. A great start to the day.

Full morning or afternoon. Cycle through Beijing's historic hutongs as well as its broad thoroughfares with huge bike lanes. Stops along the way are possible - admission fees not included.

2 hour bike ride in the city, through the hutongs, past Tiananmen and the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

One of the largest parks in Asia, it is great for seeing some green in the city. You can rent 4 wheeled bikes and engage in many amusements for kids. Price of bikes or amusements not included.

Visit the Beijing Zoo and see the panda exhibit as well as other wildlife from around China and the world.

See the zoo and Sichuan Panda exhibit (through fall 2008) as well as visiting the modern new Beijing Aquarium.

First walk the Sacred Way then visit the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

See the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

A temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism, it lies on Beijing's central North/South axis. The monastery was a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet and thus the Yonghe Lamasery was the national center of Lama administration.

A part of the Forbidden City until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, it was opened to the public in 1925. Its scenic lakes and Chinese gardens make a nice stroll, and you can visit the White Pagoda.

See photos and history.

The headquarters of the Chinese Taoism Association, it has about 1,200 years of history.

See Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

plus Jingshan Park (Coal Hill)

The Emperor and his imperial court left the Forbidden City each summer to take up residence in the Summer Palace to escape the heat. This purpose built resort is two-thirds water containing Kunming Lake. You can stroll the banks of the lake and enjoy the pavilions, palaces and terraces. If you have time, a boat ride is included.

The Temple of Heaven complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The north/south walk goes through park and historic monuments.

About 1 1/4 hours drive from Beijing, this section of the wall is less touristy than Badaling. Includes gondola tickets up and either gondola or toboggan sled down. If going in the morning you can enjoy a lunch including fresh fish (trout) if you like.

The closest section of the Great Wall to Beijing (40 minutes), also the most touristy and crowded. Mutianyu Section is a better option. Includes admission tickets. Cable car optional (RMB 60).

Be driven around the old alleyways (hutongs) in a cycle rickshaw. You stop at a traditional courtyard home for a cup of tea and get a historic view of hutong life. Also includes a visit to the Drum Tower with panoramic views of old Beijing.

Drive your own electric boat on Houhai Lake (3 or 4 guests per boat, 1 hour) Not available on public holiday times.

Walk through the Swim Cube, an architectural wonder where Olympic history was made in 2008. THIS IS CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 2010.

Walk through the Bird's Nest, where Olympic records were set in 2008.

Walk on the Olympic Green and view the Swim Cube and the Bird's Nest from the outside. This does not include an inside visit to venues.

Chinese culture is on display in the morning. See tai chi and numerous other activities which Chinese participate in to stay young and healthy. A great start to the day.

Full morning or afternoon. Cycle through Beijing's historic hutongs as well as its broad thoroughfares with huge bike lanes. Stops along the way are possible - admission fees not included.

2 hour bike ride in the city, through the hutongs, past Tiananmen and the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

One of the largest parks in Asia, it is great for seeing some green in the city. You can rent 4 wheeled bikes and engage in many amusements for kids. Price of bikes or amusements not included.

Visit the Beijing Zoo and see the panda exhibit as well as other wildlife from around China and the world.

See the zoo and Sichuan Panda exhibit (through fall 2008) as well as visiting the modern new Beijing Aquarium.

First walk the Sacred Way then visit the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

See the underground Ding tomb or the Chang Ling Tomb (above ground). Your choice. Fits in with a trip to the wall. If you go in the morning look at our Ming Tombs lunch options.

A temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism, it lies on Beijing's central North/South axis. The monastery was a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet and thus the Yonghe Lamasery was the national center of Lama administration.

A part of the Forbidden City until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, it was opened to the public in 1925. Its scenic lakes and Chinese gardens make a nice stroll, and you can visit the White Pagoda.

See photos and history.

The headquarters of the Chinese Taoism Association, it has about 1,200 years of history.

You can walk along the banks of Houhai lake and perhaps find your own meal there, or walk over to Nanluoguxiang, a refurbished alleyway with funky shops, cafes and restaurants / bars. You can also walk on the Gulou street between Houhai and Nanluoguxiang, there are lots of interesting shops and restaurants.