Beijing Breakaway - 5 days

Enjoy a city break with a difference. Explore Tiananmen Square, enter the Forbidden City, climb the Great Wall, sample traditional Peking Duck and test your bartering skills in the Silk Alley Markets.

Welcome to China and the start of your city break! Enjoy an arrival transfer to our hotel. Overnight - Beijing

A section of the 6700 kilometre long Great Wall of China

Capital of the People’s Republic, Beijing is China’s political, economic and cultural centre. With an awesome history, Beijing was established in 1045 BC and for 800 years served as the capital of several dynasties. Today, a sightseeing tour takes in Tiananmen Square, a public square that also happens to be the world’s largest. Everything is large in China, including the former imperial residence of the imperial emperors of China. The Forbidden City, once forbidden to all but individuals on imperial business is a 720,000 sq m concoction dominated by vast gates, temples, halls and palaces replete with imperial yellow tiled roofs. Surrounded by a protective moat, it is said the Forbidden City comprises some 9999 rooms!

At Silk Alley, there’s a chance to splash some cash in a retail haven that is a Beijing institution. Some bling jewellery for the lady and perhaps a genuine copy Rolex watch for the gent? Tonight, enjoy a traditional Chinese dinner at a city restaurant. Overnight - Beijing (B, D)

Day 3: The Great Wall

Some say it can be seen from space, but unless you’re a top gun at NASA, perhaps you’ll never know. Instead, experience the real deal. Today, an excursion beyond Beijing to Badaling takes in an imposing section of the Great Wall. The sometimes steep walk is made all the more breathtaking by the stunning views and the realisation that this 2,200 year-old wall isn’t just a common or garden wall, but a 6700 kilometre wall that at one time served to protect the new China from marauding invaders from the north. Today’s excursion then continues to the imperial Ming tombs, where some 13 emperors were interred in elaborate mausoleums, a couple of which can be seen. Overnight - Beijing (B, L)

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing

Day 4: Beijing

A free day to enjoy Beijing your way. Located in an area between Wanfujing and the east wall of the Forbidden City, perhaps head to the hutongs, where the hire of a rickshaw will take you through Beijing’s old back lanes that are lined with courtyard homes and offer a fascinating snapshot of the city’s traditional domesticity. In the Qianmen area, south of Tiananmen Square, you’ll find many shops with original facades, selling Mongolian hot pots, silks and other items, not to mention Chinese apothecaries offering a selection of traditional medicines comprising deer antler, fungus and other unusual ingredients. Also consider visiting Wanfujing Street, one of the busiest retail streets in the city. Overnight - Beijing (B)

Day 5: Beijing

Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport. (B)

FROM USD $669

Prices & Departure Dates

Prices shown are ‘per person’, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The single supplement price needs to be added to the twin/double price if single rooms are required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. Please bear this in mind if comparing prices as we always aim to deliver exceptional value.

Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.



Date	Price/Person	Single Supp.
Beijing Breakaway - 5 days	USD $669	USD $229



Supplementary Prices	Twin/Double	Single Supp.
Beijing - Pre-tour accommodation	USD $55	USD $44
Beijing - Post-tour accommodation	USD $55	USD $44

Bolt-ons

Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.

Tour Bolt-ons - Datong - 4 days

USD $599

Carved sandstone Buddhist figures st the Datong Yungang Caves

Datong is an ancient cultural city dating back more than 2,000 years, the region’s biggest attraction is the UNESCO-listed Yungang Caves. Built more than 1,500 years ago, the 53 caves are a treasure trove of ancient Buddhist art comprising a fine collection of carved-sandstone Buddhist figures. The ‘Hanging Temple’ also located outside of Datong was constructed some 1,500 years on a precipitous rockface. Literally hugging the cliff, the temple is a total spectacle.

Tour Bolt-ons - Beijing Hutongs by Rickshaw

FREE

Included on all group tours. For tailor - made or city breaks - book and pay locally.

Hutongs are a special feature of Beijing. On a peddle powered rickshaw and accompanied by a local guide, you’ll gain a fascinating snapshot of the city’s traditional way of life, as you meander through Beijing’s old back lanes. This bolt-on is included in all our group tours. Additionally it can be included to any of our tailormade or city break itineraries.

Tour Bolt-ons - Chinese Acrobat Evening

USD $79

An evening of death-defying acrobatic feats involving very lithe individuals clad in awesome technicolour costumes, performed in tune to sound and light and dinner (Chinese banquet-style). The performance can be added to any tailor-made or city break itinerary.

Experiences

If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.

Live It Local

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul - one of the largest covered markets in the world

Bazaars

Shop til you drop and experience a myriad of different sights, sounds and souvenirs in bustling bazaars around the world. Soak up the atmosphere in the souks of Marrakech, barter for bargains at the ginormous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or lose yourself in Beijing's Silk Alley Markets. Visit the old covered market in Damascus or get some great souvenirs in Otavalo the handicraft market in Ecuador.

Wonders of the World

The Great Wall

Some say it can be seen from space, but unless you’re a top gun at NASA, perhaps you’ll never know. Instead, experience the real deal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World and an enduring symbol of Chinese civilisation and genius, the UNESCO protected Great Wall of China was built as a defensive structure to protect China against marauding invaders from the north.

Highlights & Inclusions

Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.

Trip Highlights

Tiananmen Square
UNESCO-listed Great Wall
Silk Alley markets

Forbidden City
UNESCO-listed Ming Tombs
Cloisonne Factory

What's Included

Breakfast daily
4 nights 3 - 4 star hotels
Touring and excursions as per itinerary
All relevant transfers and transportation

1 lunch, 1 dinner - traditional Peking Duck
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 5
Guided sightseeing - on days 2 and 3 with an English speaking guide
Entrance fees to all included sites

What's Not Included

International flights and visa.
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature
Entrance Fees: $25-35USD

Postcards

Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.

All services provided were excellent,our guide very informative, friendly, pleasant and easygoing. She spoke English very well, gave us lots of information about Beijing.

The hotel was very comfortable. The opera was easily understandable to English speaking people, most enjoyable.

Patricia Ann Quinlan, May 2010