Overview: Our tour program includes all the famous and important sights in and around Beijing, the former Peking.  The sights presented will make any photographer the envy of friends back home!  The program is divided during the stay, providing time for personal endeavours in the city. The Chinese guides in Beijing will present the exact program schedule. If something in this program is not possible, another of the magnificent sights in the city will replace it.

Shopping opportunities abound!  Peruse shops with silk clothing, precious and semi-precious jewels, painted wall scrolls, enamelled ware, traditional Chinese ornaments and clothing, carpets, incense, wood carvings, modern kites, toys and souvenirs.
In the evenings, your RTT escort and the local guide offer a multitude of opportunities for cultural, culinary and shopping experiences.  These can be arranged for groups as well as for individuals.  Of course, evenings are reserved for a special folk program and a Peking Duck dinner!

Day 1:  Meet the RTT tour escort for the bus transfer to Frankfurt airport (not incl.) or directly at the airport for non-stop fight to Beijing (about nine hours duration on Lufthansa Airlines).

Day 2:  Early morning arrival in Beijing and sightseeing as possible before we transfer to our four star hotel. Sightseeing as possible. The Temple of Heaven is a prime example of Chinese mechanics and geometry producing a marvel in architecture.  It was used from the 13^th to 20^th centuries for ceremonies in the winter solstice.

Day 3-4, 7:  Our tour features a full day excursion to the Forbidden City, with a photo stop in Tien’anmen Square and a visit to the Temple of Heaven.  Tien’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world (100 acres), has only existed in this century, since government buildings going from the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tien’anmen) – portal to the Imperial Palace – to the ancient city gate (Qianmen) were razed.  Huge celebrations took place here during the 50^th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in October 1999.  The immense presence of the Chinese people can be felt, even when the Square is empty.  Mao Ze Dong’s Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People (Congress Hall), and two museums (Museums of Chinese History and of the Chinese Revolution) line the Square.

Also known as the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace stretches its six main palaces and 9,000 rooms over more than 250 acres.  One of the great feats of human history, it was constructed over three specific building periods by Mongul rulers on the 13^th century, a Ming emperor in the 15^th century and Qing emperors in the 18^th century.  It is China’s most imposing architectural masterpiece, representing 700 years of Chinese imperial rule.

Visiting the Great Wall is a powerful experience.  The only man-made object visible from space, it puts visitors in the footsteps of, and upon the tombs of, those who built it from 400 BC to the 15^th century.  It once stretched from 10,000 km (6250 miles), but now only covers a distance of 600 km (about 375 miles).  Standing atop the Great Wall at Badaling, you look through slots and over parapets to imagine the terrible battles fought hundreds of years ago.

Along the Sacred Way to the Ming Tombs, you pass the route allowed only for the Emperor’s funeral cortege, through ceremonial gates and figures representing and honour guard for the Emperor.  Of the 13 tombs of Chinese emperors, we visit on of the two which have been excavated: Chang Ling and Dig Ling.

The Summer Palace was built on the side of a man-made lake, then on the city outskirts, over several centuries (since the 12^th century).  Many special exhibits are found within the walls of the vast park.  At the end of the Painted Gallery walkway is the last Dowager Empress’s Marble Boat – once used for tea parties.

Enjoy a Hutong Tour including a joyful ride in a rickshaw! A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing, where hutongs exist. As a cultural scene peculiar to Beijing, from the time of its birth, the hutong has  witnessed the age-long history of Beijing.  Visit a Chinese family in an old courtyard home. Tour the Lama and Confucius Temples and walk through the Silk Market.  The Lama Temple (Temple of Eternal Harmony) is an excellent example of a Tibetan-Mongolian yellow sect temple.  There are museum quality exhibits among the operating temple buildings.  The Confucius Temple is used for worship by Confucius disciples.  The grounds are usually uncrowded and afford opportunity for exploring the importance of the Confucian sect in Chinese history.  In the new Silk Market complex, many vendors are vying for the tourist’s attention with sales of clothing and other merchandise. Squeeze in through the main doors to Beijing's most popular clothing market.  Bargaining is mandatory!

Day 5-6:  Over 1,000 years ago, Xi’an was the most open and culturally advanced city in the entire world. From there, trade routes extended through Asia to Europe and Africa. Great thinkers came, spreading philosophy and new ideas, which have contributed to the greatness of China. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was founded by the famous Indian pilgrim and Buddhist philosopher, Xuanzang, around 650 A.D., to protect the holy religious writings. The City Wall was faithfully restored to its 14th Century design, with 12 meter walls and gates for modern traffic. The large archeological exhibit and museum dedicated to the Terra Cotta Warriors is the highpoint of tours to Xi’an. Hours spent there provide an appreciation of the extensive influence and power of the honoured emperor. Many other such tombs, as yet uncovered and unexplored, lie in the surrounding countryside.

Day 8: After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Beijing airport and non-stop return to Frankfurt. Afternoon arrival in Germany.