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Beijing Tours, Vacation Packages & Travel Experiences

  • Seeing the Forbidden City at sunset is a must for all China tours.
  • The Olympic Stadium
  • The Great Wall at Badaling is without doubt a must inclusion on all Beijing tours.
  • Portrait of Chairman Mao from Tiananmen Gate
  • The Jade bridge Summer Palace

Beijing is the capital city of China and features the second largest urban population in the country. As the political and educational centre of China, Beijing is home to many government official buildings and embassy areas, as well as universities, all to be seen on a China vacation.

Formerly known as Peking, Beijing is also China’s cultural centre and features many historic buildings and sites. The city, which features numerous districts, is comprised of several rectangular-shaped ring roads, which encircle Beijing’s centre. In the city centre is Tiananmen Square, Beijing’s most important landmark and site of the infamous massacre of student activists by People’s Liberation Army in 1989. This public square is surrounded by various museums. The Forbidden City, a relatively untouched palace found just south of Tiananmen Square, was home to the Imperial Court during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Along with historic buildings, there is modern architecture to be found in Beijing, including the landmark Bird’s Nest Stadium, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

An excursion on China tour paxckages to The Great Wall of China (approximately one hour away from the city), a Hutong city pedicab tour, a magnificent stroll through the Summer Palace, and a Peking duck dinner are just some of the cultural experiences that Beijing has to offer.

What are the top things to see on a Beijing vacation?

The Great Wall of China

As you first look upon the Great Wall, it is impossible not to be awestruck at this man-made structure. Construction started in the 7th century BC, with additions and rebuilding continuing until the 16th century AD. The Great Wall was built to keep out the warring invaders of the north, but additional sections were extended eastward for nearly 6,700 kilometres. The Badaling section is the most well preserved section of the Wall. You can climb to its top and walk for a mile in either direction: the Great Wall snakes ahead though the mountains as far as you can see.

The Forbidden City (the Palace Museum)

In the heart of the capital lies the Forbidden City, built during the Ming dynasty in 1406. The Forbidden City is actually a city-within-a-city; with 9999 rooms spread over 250 acres. During the Ming and Qing dynasty, 24 emperors made their home in the Forbidden City and forbade commoners from entering. The Emperor's Palace has been transformed into a museum that holds many treasures of the Imperial Family.

Tian An Men Square

Known as the Gate of Heavenly Peace, it is located across the street from the main entrance to the Forbidden City.

The Temple of Heaven

This masterpiece of Ming architecture is one of the most photographed buildings in the world due to its elegant beauty and symmetry. Built in 1420, it was the place where Ming and Qing emperors (Sons of Heaven) prayed to heaven for a good harvest. Music plays softly through the day in a 660-acre park surrounding the temple.

The Summer Palace

Built in 1750, the Palace overlooks tranquil Kunming Lake. There you can stroll along corridors where royal families spent their summers hundreds of years ago.

The Ming Tombs

Large stone animals and human figures line the famous Sacred Way, the entrance to the burial grounds. Set into the hillside is a complex of tombs of 13 emperors from the Ming dynasty.

The Hutongs

Something special on tours to China is a Hutong, an ancient city alley or lane typical of Beijing, where Hutongs run into the several thousand. Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan (1206-1341), Ming (1368-1628) and Qing (1644-1908) dynasties. In the prime of these dynasties the emperors, in order to establish supreme power for themselves, planned the city and arranged the residential areas according to the etiquette systems of the Zhou Dynasty. The main buildings in the Hutong were almost all quadrangles - a building complex formed by four houses around a quadrangular courtyard. The quadrangles varied in size and design according to the social status of the residents. The big quadrangles of high- ranking officials and wealthy merchants were specially built with roof beams and pillars all beautifully carved and painted, each with a front yard and back yard. However, the ordinary people's quadrangles were simply built with small gates and low houses. Hutongs, in fact, are passageways formed by many closely arranged quadrangles of different sizes. Today, one can enjoy a walking tour of some of the districts which still contain Hutongs. 

China and Tibet Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to a China vacation.

Learn about the history and culture of China, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about China's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering China for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our China tours today!

Extend Your Trip

After your China tour consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries. 

 

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Beijing, China

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  • Eastern China Experience: Beijing to Shanghai

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