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.
Return to your hotel
Day 2
Pick up at your hotel
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.
Only offered after visiting Mutianyu Great Wall in the morning, you may have a Chinese style lunch including fresh trout (pick your own from the pond). You can also use a pole to catch fish while you wait for lunch. Also includes an assortment of other Chinese dishes both veg and meat.
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.
Sliced duck carved at your table. Roll it in a little tortilla with cucumber, onion and plum sauce and eat. Enjoy side dishes as well.
Show details and seating chart. Show lasts 1 hour. These seats list as RMB 160 but are specially discounted as part of a tour.
Return to your hotel
Day 3
Pick up at your hotel
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.
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.
Learn to make Chinese dumplings (jiaozi) in a traditional style family courtyard home before eating them as part of your lunch. Best done either before or after a Hutong Tour.
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.
Dropped off at the airport or train station
Our service style: Most budget tour operators require you to spend hours of your day in overpriced tourist shops so they can collect commissions. These stops are usually not on the itinerary and just "come up" (ask them when booking). We don't take you on surprise shopping stops. If you want to shop we can help you find what you want at a fair price. We have no hidden costs, such charges for extra drinks at meals, admission tickets, cable cars and bottled water.
We can add airport transfers, hotels, domestic flights and train tickets to any tour, please ask for a quotation.
Cost per Person
Remember when comparing price, you get what you pay for. We don't earn money by taking you commission shopping, a common practice in China, wasting your time. Our guides are carefully selected and highly trained to be friendly and patient travel companions. We don't cut corners on meals, there are no extra charges for drinks or additional food. We are not the cheapest, but we are one of the best.
Payment Methods:
Cash upon pickup
Visa, Mastercard, Amex or JCB (via Credit Card Form, by phone or upon pickup)
Bank Transfer
Notes:
Meals include unlimited standard drinks. Free bottled water kept in vehicle.
Children under age 12 receive 25% discount. Children under 5 free.
Tipping of guide/driver recommended for good service on a 2:1 ratio.
North America Toll Free: (888) 802-1785 (8am-5pm Pacific time, Mon-Fri)
Telephone: (+8610) 8532 2274 (English hotline)
After hours hotline: (+86) 15910740785
The Kungfu Show
Mutianyu Great Wall
The Forbidden City
The Summer Palace
Hutong Tour
The Drum Tower
The Birds Nest and Swim Cube
Save money: Tour Matchmaking
Join someone else's group or start your own for this tour on your dates.
You can also make a custom itinerary for others to join.
The China Guide
7-1-8-1 Jianguomenwai Waijiaogongyu
Beijing, China
Telephone: (+8610) 8532 2274 or 8532 1565 (English hotline)
