Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Stop At: Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), West Changan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China
Today we'll explore famous sights in Beijing. There will be a lot of walking today as well as using public the subway to get around. After breakfast, we will take the metro to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, home to the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great hall of the People.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Forbidden City-The Palace Museum, No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100009 China
Then enter the Forbidden City, built from 1406 to 1420, a ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for more than 500 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the most extensive collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
Please note: The maximum capacity for the Forbidden City has been reduced from 80,000 visitors a day to 30,000 a day after the pandemic. This now has a big impact on the availability of Forbidden City tickets to both tour groups and individual visitors, especially during high domestic travel season from March to October. As a tour company, we will also have to snap up the entrance through the app at least 9 days before the visiting date. And we are not sure of the results, because it's out of our control. If we fail to get the entrance for Forbidden City, we will visit the Temple of Heaven instead.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan), No.44 Jingshanxi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100009 China
After the Forbidden City, we will come to Jingshan Park, a former imperial garden and the best point to get a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan), No.1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034 China
Then continue on to Beihai Park, visiting Jade Island with its Buddhist temple, the white pagoda, and the famous Nine Dragon Screen.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hutong Tour, No.9, Zhonglou, Dongcheng District No.9, Zhonglou, Dongcheng District, 100009, Beijing, Beijing 100009 China
Finally, check out from the north gate, and spend the rest of the day strolling in the Hutongs. You will learn something about the old courtyards (Siheyuan), like history, layout, Fengshui and traditional Chinese culture. Outlook of the two-story Drum Tower, walk along the 800-year-old hutong of Yandai Byway, and pass through the Yinding Bridge.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Beijing-Gubeikou-Jinshanling-Beijing
Stop At: Gubei Water Town, Simatai villege, Gubeikou town, Beijing China
Meet your expert guide in your hotel at 8 am and travel through the bustling streets by private, climate-controlled vehicle toward the Gube Water Town and the Great Wall (3 hrs).
The water town, surrounds the beautiful Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir, is built on the former 5 sub natural villages of Simatai Village at the foot of Simatai Great Wall. The Simatai village was developed from Simatai Castle built during the reign of Emperor Wanli ( 1573 -1620 ) in Ming Dynasty ( 1368 – 1644 ).
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Simatai Great Wall, Gubeikou Town, Beijing 101508 China
The Simatai Great Wall stretches 5.4 km from Wangjinglou (Tower for Viewing the Capital) in the east and connects Jinshanling Great Wall in the west. Originally built in the North Qi Dynasty (550-577), it incorporates a variety of styles of other parts of the China Wall, but also display some unique features. East and West section of Simatai Great Wall are divided by a lake, which is fed by two springs. Even in winter time the lake never ice up. Both sections are linked up by a suspension bridge.
The hills in the west are sloping gently with well-maintained towers, and the Wall is winding on the hills like a golden dragon with majestic vigor. Due to safety concern, only the eastern watch towers 2 to 10 are opened to public presently.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jinshanling Great Wall, Chengde Shi, Luanping County 068250 China
In the late afternoon we continue to drive to Jinshanling Great Wall (30 mins). Catch scenic views of watchtowers snaking along the mountain. There is fascinating variety in the watch-towers here. Some have two stories, others three. Some have flat roofs, others rounded, and others again are pitched with upturned eaves. Your expert guide will show you to the best section to enjoy the most beautiful Sunset view, the best places for photographers to take Great Wall photos.
After the sunset, head to a local farmer's restaurant. Meet and chat with the farmers with a home-cooked Chinese meal. You will have a chance to experience making Chinese dumplings as part of your dinner. End your tour with a drop-off at your hotel in Beijing.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.