As the plane touches down in Beijing you will be happy to know that you are not settling for Beijing seen from an airport. Instead, you have 72 hours to explore this city while the practicalities have been taken care of for you. In the arrival hall, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your central Beijing hotel/hostel.

If you arrive during the daytime you can look forward to a 2 hours bike ride around Beijing with your guide – go down the small backstreets and past the city's great squares. Your guide will take you to Old Beijing, an area better known as the Hutongs. These last remaining alleys and backstreets of the old empire ooze a unique atmosphere, far away from the modern and bustling city. You will stop to taste local snacks before you continue to the Drum Tower (facade view only, but you may pay to get up), once a key strategic point in the old town. From the Drum Tower the views are wonderful, taking in the rooftops of the Hutongs and the old way of life below.

You end your bicycling tour at Houhai, the Black Lake, a favourite with locals and young people, with so many restaurants, bars and small shops. We recommend you have a meal here while breathing in the local vibe and testing the very local Beijing snacks.

Transportation: Beijing Airport to Beijing Hotel by Private Car or Van
Accommodation: Overnight at Beijing Jade Hostel (or similar)

Prepare to lay eyes on one of the World's greatest wonders as you slowly leave the city scape behind, heading for The Great Wall of China in the mountainous Northeast. You will be picked up at 08:00 from you hostel/hostel by your guide and driver and taken by private van/car to Beigou Village. Expect to arrive around 09:30 am and start your hike on the remote and beautiful parts of the Great Wall. Depending on your energy level you can go for about 3 - 4 hours. This section of the wall is untouched and is considered as a paradise by professional photographers, because of its great scenery and lack of crowds. Expect up and down hill walks on parts that has not been restored making it rough yet authentic.

You will return to a local farmer's house for a short rest and a first hand glance into local life in the village. Be treated with a locally cooked lunch and prepare to leave the countryside behind around 15:00. On the drive back to downtown Beijing you will have a photo stop at The Olympic park to have a closer look at the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube (facade view only). Then continue driving back to your hotel for an evening at your own leisure.

??????????????Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation: Beijing to the Great Wall and the Great Wall to Beijing Hotel by Private Car or Van
Accommodation: Overnight at Beijing Jade Hostel (or similar)

Spend the morning exploring at your own convenience. Go to the places you want to have a closer look at, visit Tiananmen square, tour the forbidden city or explore the 798 Art Zone. Remember to check-out from your hotel at 12:00 noon and store your luggage if needed. Your driver will pick you up at pre-arranged time and go by private car/van transfer to airport. A couple of days have passed in the great empire and you are ready to fly to your next destination. 

Meals: Breakfast
??????????????Transportation: Beijing Hotel to Beijing Airport by Private Car or Van