4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Highlights: Airport or Railway Station Pick Up

Welcome to Beijing , the iconic city as well as the capital of China!

You will be met by your local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital Airport, or railway station, then be escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Arrival Ideas: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xi'an (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.

Day 2 Beijing – Summer Palace (B, L)

Highlights: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Summer Palace

After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City , a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings. After Forbidden City exploration, take a short visit to Jingshan Park where you can get a nice shot of one watchtower of Forbidden City and take a panoramic view of Forbidden City.

After lunch, you will go to visit the imperial site – Temple of Heaven . It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc. After the Temple of Heaven visit, your tour guide will take you to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made by neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing life style, visit various antique shops and small boutiques, and truly feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family's home in the traditional Hutongs.

Optional night activities: 1. You can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2. Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater between 19:30-21:00.

Day 3 Beijing – Great Wall (B, L)

Highlights: Jinshanling Great Wall – Simatai Great Wall

After breakfast, it's free for you to have fun until your tour guide and driver pick up you at your hotel at around 10:30am . It's not necessary to depart very early because you will visit Simatai Great Wall at around 7pm in the evening, then stay a night at the foot of the Great Wall instead of returning back to the city.

After about 130km's (2h and 15 mins) driving, you will arrive at the foot of Jinshanling Great Wall . This section of Great Wall is believed as the best essence of all sections of Great Wall, also the paradise for great wall hiking lovers. It is one of the best preserved sections of Great Wall which is featured in steep mountains, ornate and dense towers. After entering the check-in office, you will walk about 20 minutes to the western section of Jinshanling Great Wall, near to Gubeikou Great Wall. Your hiking starts at Zhuanduo Tower, walk eastward with the up walls snaking on the hills to the eastern edge. On route, you have chance to see some featured towers, such as General Tower, Large Jinshan Tower, Flower Tower, Corner Tower, etc. You’re hiking takes about 4~5 hours , and stops at East Tower with Five Holes where you will get off the wall.

After dinner around 7pm when the Simatai Great Wall is lit up all along the ridge of the mountain, your guide will accompany you to take the cable car up to the wall to enjoy the magnificent night views. Currently only the section between towers No.5 and No.6 is open to tourists for the night tour. You will stay around 1 hour on the wall, then take cable car down the wall and go to check in your hotel at Gubei Water Town. The evening time is free for you to wonder leisurely in the town.

Day 4 Gubei Watertown & Beijing Departure (B, L)

Highlights: Gubei Water Town

This morning is free for you to explore more areas in the Gubei Watertown until your tour guide and driver take you to catch your flight/train to next destination. It takes about 2 hours to get from the watertown to Beijing Capital International Airport, and 2.5 hours to get to Beijing West Train Station and Beijing South Train Station. Tour ends!

Beijing Extenstion Travel Ideas

Beijing is well connected with most of popular destinations in China by direct flights and high speed trains, including Xian, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Lhasa, Chengdu, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Pingyao, etc. Please contact us to tailor-make your idea China tour to make fully use of your stay in China.

What’s Included

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide
• Admission tickets for all attractions listed in the itinerary
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (4-star standard)
• Necessary vehicle transfers as listed in the itinerary
• Domestic flights (economy class) and high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary
• Airport (and train station) pick up and drop off
• Luggage Transfers: between airports (railway station) and hotels
• All meals as listed( “B” for Chinese and Western breakfast buffet in your hotel; “L” for Chinese Lunch in local restaurant; “D” for Chinese dinner in local restaurant.)
• Accident insurance
• Our service charge, including tour planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Not Included

• China visa
• Personal expenses
• Accommodation not listed in the itinerary
• Single Room Supplement
• Tourist sites which are not listed in the itinerary
• Recommended optional activities
• Flights or trains not listed in the itinerary
• Excess Baggage Charges
• Optional tips to guides, drivers, etc.

Pricing Note

Final pricing is tailored to your travel dates, party size, hotel preferences and confirmed services. Your proposal will clearly list every included and excluded item.

Travel Tips

Beijing Great Wall Hiking Tips

You need to pack some personal gears, such as light and comfortable walking shoes, outdoor coat and pants. You'd better also pack sun cream, sun glasses.

How do I book a China group tour?

Select your travel dates and click “ Free Inquiry or ”. You will get free enquiry and don’t need to pay immediately. After sending us your requirements, one of our professional travel experts will get back to you within 0.5 to 24 hours and we guarantee to reserve a place for you first. When all the information have confirmed, then you make the payment. Please feel free to contact the travel expert directly if you have any questions prior to booking.

Deadline for Booking a Group Tour:

The deadline for receiving guests is tentatively 7 days before departure. For trips to Tibet and the Yangtze River Three Gorges, the deadline is extended to 15 days before departure.

Extend Your China Tour

The above itinerary is the sample one that most travelers would go like that. The tour can be customized based on your likes, interests and budget. At the same time, if you want to extend this tour, just tell us your favored destinations and things to do. Our professional travel experts will redesign the trip totally for you and your group at the best price.

Regarding Children's Fees:

1. Occupying a bed: Children will be charged the adult rate.

2.Not occupying a bed: Children will be charged the group tour fee minus the single room difference. Any ticket discounts will be refunded.

Single Room Supplement:

If you are traveling alone and prefer a private room, a single room supplement will apply. Please contact our travel experts for the exact fee.

Free Pick-up & Drop-off Service:

1. Free pick-up is available for flights/trains arriving between 08:00 and 22:00.

2. Free drop-off is available for flights/trains departing between 09:00 and 23:00.

Additional Cost for Private Transfer:

1. For arrival and departure transfers (1-2 persons): Early arrivals or late departures will incur an additional transfer fee.

2. For flights arriving after 22:00 and departing before 09:00: An additional transfer fee will apply.

Tips: Free airport pickup within 24 hours is only available for group tour passengers; private small group tours or customized group tours are included.

About Cancellation Policy

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, please ensure that you submit a written cancellation request. The calculation of cancellation fees will begin from the date we receive your written request.

The cancellation fees will be calculated as follows:

If the cancellation is made between 45 and 30 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 10% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 29 and 15 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 30% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 14 and 7 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 50% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 6 and 0 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 100% of the full payment per person will apply.

Do our guide and driver join the meal with us?

The tour guides and driver will be at the same restaurants with you, but they will only join the meal when you invite. Sometimes the drivers are shy to join as they usually eat fast and could not understand English talk around the table, so the guide will be with you more often.

Will we be able to try some local foods during our visit?

Yes, you will. There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants, if you are interested in local food tasting. But remember, some local snacks may not match your stomach, so ask your guided for more information before eating.

Shopping

What to buy in China?

In China, there are myriad souvenirs for visitors, and each city has its own specialty.

How to bargain?

Bargains are not acceptable in big supermarkets and department stores. But in some night markets or tourist shops, you can bargain for a lower price, since the vendors always ask for very high price for a certain item. You’d better ask the opinion of the guide first, and then the guide will tell you the real value and quality of the item. Please note that when the bargain is processing, the guide will be hesitate to help as it may annoy the bosses. Just try to let the guides know you will bargain in advance.

What to do with persistent vendors?

If you do not need something from them, just do not ask for price. Some of the venders are very persisted, and if they keep selling things to you, you can simply say “No, thanks.” (Chinese pronunciation: ”Bu, XieXie”). If they do not give up, you just keep silence. Silence is sometimes useful to handle this situation.

Private tour features

1. Private guide, driver and vehicle are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually, or in a family or friends group. The tour is run exclusively for you without strangers.

2. Every itinerary can be customized to meet your specific interests/ wishes, that is, you can choose your favored hotels, sightseeing spots, the tour length, means of transportation, budget, etc. All are free of charge.

3. Start the tour on any date you want.

4. Escort you through the whole tour. All private transfers during the tour are offered, including airport/train station transfer, hotel-attractions round trip transfer.

5. The sightseeing during the tour could be based on your own timetable and pace. Flexible to change at your short notice.

6. Ideal for people who need considerate care and assistance, such as elderly, the disabled, families with small children.

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