China – Hello Beijing!

The Forbidden City (C) CITS

China is a country rich in history and steeped in centuries of culture and learning. Beijing offers a brush with the past, whether it is the breathtaking Great Wall of China, the majestic Forbidden City, or the beautiful Imperial Summer Palace. At the same time you can feel the rush towards the future as the cities of Beijing and Shanghai embrace the 21^st century. As one of the four ancient capitals and one of China’s oldest cities, Xi’an is renowned the world over for the splendid Terracotta Army discovered in 1974, and can make for a fascinating side-trip when visiting China.

Itinerary

Day 1	Beijing Meet and assist at the airport and tranfer to your hotel in Beijing for 4 nights.
Day 2	Beijing (B, L) Visit Tiananmen Square and the famous Forbidden City; the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government. Enjoy an authentic Beijing experience in a pedicab as you tour the hutongs (narrow streets and alleys) in the city´s Shichahai neighbourhood. Watch culture come alive through the stone drums located in front of each gate, and see the layout of traditional Beijing courtyards. You will even have the unique opportunity with a guide to briefly meet with a local family to see how they live their daily lives.
Day 3	Beijing (B, L) Take a tour to the Badaling section of the Great Wall, and walk along the ‘Sacred Way’, a road to the ancient burial grounds of the Ming Emperors; decorated with stone statues representing the path that the Ming Emperors would take to Heaven. Attend a workshop and witness Jade stone being carved. On the way back, photo stops will be made at the 2008 Olympic Stadium, also known as the ‘Bird Nest’ and the ‘Water Cube’ (Aquatic Center). In the afternoon, enjoy a Kung-fu show
Day 4	Beijing (B, L, D) Visit the Temple of Heaven; a complex visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Attend a pearl workshop before visiting the Summer Palace; a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain in the evening, enjoy a Peking Duck dinner..
Day 5	Depart Beijing (B) Transfer to the airport.