8:00: Meet Your Guide
Meeting Time: 8:00am, please arrive 5 minutes earlier.
Meeting Place: At the Gate of Lao She Teahouse (Qianmen Branch), easy to locate on map
Address: Building 3, Zhengyang Market, Qianmenxi Main Street, Xicheng District.
Transportation: Take a taxi there from your hotel, with address in Chinese provided by our travel consultant. Or take the subway line 2, get out of the Qianmen stop from the exit C, and walk a few minutes there.
Waiting Time: 10 minutes
8:10: Visit Tiananmen Square
Follow your guide to take a morning walk around Tiananmen Square, and you can shoot distant view photos of the brilliant landmark buildings such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao.
9:00: Visit Forbidden City
Walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace with the great Chairman Mao's portrait on it; you come to this morning's highlight - the 600-year-old Forbidden City - the largest and the most intact imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing Courts (1368 - 1911 AD).
The majestic Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms! Which are the most essential and interesting parts? We will spend three hours or so exploring the main buildings centering upon the central axis, which splits the entire compound into two symmetrical halves.
After the trip is completed, you will find yourself already near the North Gate of the Forbidden City. It’s your choice to leave with your guide or take advantage of your ticket to linger inside longer to explore the Imperial Garden for more photos. There are cafes and Beijing snacks sold in the peripheral zone, so you can just tackle your lunch here before continuing your own exploration. Your guide will be glad to provide you suggestions to get back to your hotel.
11:30: End the Tour
As we finish touring, we are already near the North Gate. It’s your choice to leave with your guide or take advantage of your ticket to linger inside longer to explore the Imperial Garden for more photos.
Your guide will be glad to provide you ways to get back to your place or assist you in hailing a cab. Safe travel!
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
8:30: Pick-up
At the appointed time, meet your guide at the hotel lobby, who will get you on a luxury car to meet your fellow travelers and to our first destination.
Stop 1: Stele Forest 1.5h
Here, appreciate nationally-treasured ancient stone slabs carved with Chinese calligraphy and philosophies and listen to the story behind every stele. Your guide will also illustrate to you the architectural aesthetics, as the museum is housed in a carefully-designed temple that once worshiped Confucius.
Stop 2: Banpo Museum 2h
Then, let’s go far, far back to prehistoric China at Banpo Museum, which is based on the site of a typical matrilineal clan village from the Neolithic era of 6,000 years ago. There are also many potteries with the same motifs and with your guide’s explanation, you will see into the aesthetic taste and wild imagination of the Chinese ancestors.
Stop 3: Yongxingfang Food Street for Lunch Break 1.5h
At noon, we will take you to the Yongxingfang Food Street, literally “the lane of eternal prosperity”, and leave you a lunch break at your own expense.
Stop 4: Great Mosque 1.5h
We will then take a dip in the Muslim Bazaar and then escape the secular hustle and bustle to the Great Mosque. The mosque is not of the typical Islamic style you normally expect; instead, you will see a beautiful architectural complex reminiscent of classical traditional gardens with ornate carvings.
Last Stop: Bell Tower 1.5h
Go on to admire the Bell Tower that sits at the heart of Xian. As the Ming-era (1368 - 1644) heritage and the most magnificent of its kind in China, it radiates a pride among the modern landscape that beckons you to capture. We will also visit the interior and climb the tower to discover Chinese aesthetics through architectural details.
After the visit, you can either choose to be escorted back to your hotel or ask for insider advice from your guide on evening activities. Maybe linger awhile to see the Bell Tower lit all over in the evening. Take care!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
First, I was extremely pleased by the Local guides. They were upfront and clear about the whole process beginning with travel itinerary, help with the visa process, travel costs and so on. The agents were cordial, and always responded promptly during the pre travel phase of the journey.
Once our tour started, I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of the guides to show everything possible at different sites. The guides as well as the driver were very friendly and helpful.
The organization of the itinerary and the logistics were very well planned. All hotels, with the exceptionption of one, were very good.
The only shortcoming that I can think of, was the food that was local thoroughout the journey. It lacked variety and there was no other option. However, this is not the fault of the travel agency since all restaurants served only local food.
Overall, I can summarize that I had a great experience. The trip was very well planned, organized and successfully completed.
River cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers