Classic Beijing Journey prepared for Strong Travel November 9-12, 2011
- Tentative Itinerary - Program starts in HK and ends in Beijing Meals provided indicated as breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) Date Overnight Location Activities Nov.9 Wed Nov.10 Thu. Nov.11 Fri. Nov.12 Sat Beijing The Opposite House Studio 70 L, D Beijing The Opposite House Studio 70 B,L, D Beijing The Opposite House Studio 70 B,L, Departure Beijing B, Morning - Debark from ship then transfer to HK airport - Light lunch at HK airport Afternoon - Taking early-afternoon flight to Beijing - Arrive at BJ and check into Beijing Regent hotel - Welcome dinner, featuring Peking duck Morning - Visit Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City - Lunch at Hakka restaurant Afternoon - A Pedi-cab tour to old Beijing residence area Hutongs; - Activities: visit local families, Knot-tying, Papercutting - Dinner at time honored brand hotpot restaurant Morning - Drive to visit Great Wall at Mutianyu, with one to two hours leisure hiking - Lunch at School house Afternoon - Visit Olympic venues - Rest of the day free for shopping and dinner on your own Morning - Drive to Beijing airport and departure - 2 -
- Quotation - Quotation Land Cost: US$ 1248 per person (Based on 40 pax) Quotation Includes: Quotation Excludes: Single Supplement Airfare: (HK-BJ) US$ 360 per person All land transfers mentioned in itinerary. Services of two local tour guide throughout program All accommodation, based on double-occupancy as indicated in the itinerary. Admission charges to all places and activities mentioned in itinerary. All meals as indicated in the itinerary Drinking water and snacks on board Expenses of personal nature, e.g. personal telecommunications etc Excursions and activities not included in itinerary. Alcoholic or imported beverages during meals Discretionary gratuities for driver and local guide Travel insurance USD 500 per person Optional SOS Evacuation Insurance (US$ 30 per person) Exchange Rate: Please note that the current quotation is based on an exchange rate of USD 1 to RMB 6.8. Should there be a revaluation of more than 2% from this current exchange rate, WildChina reserves the right to adjust our pricing accordingly. - 3 -
- Journey Reader - Beijing Journey Reader Tian anmen Square The site of numerous historic events in modern Chinese history, Tian anmen Square offers a glimpse into the past, present and future of China. People from all around China travel to Tian anmen Square to see the iconic portrait of Mao Zedong which overlooks the Square, and to visit his mausoleum, which lies on the opposite end of the Square. Meanwhile, the Soviet Era Great Hall of the People lies in stark contrast to the National Center for the Performing Arts down the road, known as The Egg for its avant-garde, and controversial, dome-shaped structure. One of the largest urban squares in the world, Tian anmen Square is bustling with visitors, kite-flyers and vendors congregating in the absolute center of the Middle Kingdom The Forbidden City Home to Ming (1368AD 1644AD) and Qing (1644AD 1911AD) dynasty emperors for over 500 years, the Forbidden City is the biggest and best preserved cluster of buildings in China. Once strictly out of bounds to the Chinese public, this vast palace complex houses up to 800 buildings and reputedly 9,000 chambers. The main buildings where the emperors conducted official business form the palace's central axis, while strolls through smaller parts of the complex offer glimpses into daily Imperial life. Old Beijing Beijing is famous for its hutongs, a labyrinth of lanes that have connected the city s neighborhoods for hundreds of years. Today, hutongs can still be found around the Forbidden City, and it is in these neighborhoods, still partly comprised of traditional courtyard homes (siheyuan), that the traditions of old Beijing continue to thrive. Some of the most well preserved hutongs lie north of the Forbidden City around Houhai Lake, which includes the former residence of Song Qingling, one of the most influential people in the development of Modern China and the late wife of Sun Yatsen, the first president of the Republic of China in 1912. Nearby, Prince Gong s Mansion is one of the best preserved royal residences in Beijing, which served as the - 4 -
home of two of the most powerful people of the last Imperial dynasty, He Shen and Prince Gong. Great Wall at Mutianyu and Schoolhouse Starting at the sea and stretching more than one thousand miles to the desert frontiers of China s west, the Great Wall is a lasting symbol of China s imperial might; built over the course of two millennia, it is actually a series of defensive walls erected to protect China s heartland from invaders. Although it ultimately failed as a defensive structure, the Great Wall remains a monument to the ingenuity and determination of imperial China. Two hours outside Beijing proper, a hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall affords views of the Wall snaking over the precipitous mountain ridges on the horizon. After making one s way down the Great Wall, a visit to the Great Wall is well complemented by a casual Western lunch in Mutianyu village at The Schoolhouse, a unique cafe and restaurant housed in a restored countryside elementary school near the foot of the Great Wall. Olympic Green Walk around the main Olympic Green, the main hub for the 2008 Olympics. The grounds and Bird s Nest, where the opening and closing ceremonies were held, are now open to the public.. - 5 -
- Accommodations - The Opposite House The Opposite House is a rarity in a city peppered with skyscraper hotels. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, it is one of the best embodiments of the best in modern design. The service is personable and thoughtful. A delightful experience of what modern Beijing offers. The opposite House is also named one of the country s best in Robb Report China s best of the best 2009 issue. - WildChina - WildChina is premium, sustainable travel company based in Beijing. Focused on exploring China off the tour bus and away from the crowds, we strive to show our individual, educational, and corporate guests a unique and authentic China experience. What makes us different? We re pioneers, China specialists, and experts in logistics management. Our specialty is creating distinctive programs featuring special access to sites, superior customer service, and attention to detail. Our extensive on-the-ground network means we know what s happening in every part of China in real time. - 6 -
Some examples of programs WildChina designed include: A luxury eco-tent village on the Tibetan Plateau, complete with solar powered showers, to witness an exciting horse racing festival A private street carnival in Chengdu for a corporate client An extensive research journey tracing the Yellow River from source to sea Service -learning projects in economical disadvantaged regions of southwest China, such as eco-toilet building WildChina has had the privilege of serving some of the most discerning travelers, and prominent firms and institutions, including McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Monument Foundation, and the United Nations Foundation. How It All Began The WildChina Origin Our story began on the slopes of Mount Kailash in the southwestern province of Tibet. The company founder and Yunnan native, Mei Zhang, found herself without a guide and braving high altitudes and a harsh landscape. After completing the kora and spending the night in an abandoned guesthouse, she awoke to beautiful snowcapped mountains alight with the sunrise. The breathtaking view brought Mei a deep sense of fulfillment, yet she stood alone and exhausted from her journey. Disappointed by how little support was available for travelers looking to get off the beaten path in China, Mei was inspired to start her own business dedicated to offering high-end, stress-free and responsible travel to China's most remote and unique destinations. Her prescient insight became the company motto: "Experience China Differently!" What started initially as a premium travel provider for individuals has since grown into a company with a large and diverse clientele. WildChina today not only continues to serve our original intrepid independent travelers, but also high-end private tour groups, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, overseas travel partners, and corporations all looking for top-level destination management. - 7 -
www.wildchina.com Room 801 Oriental Place No. 9 East Dongfang Road North Dongsanhuan Road Chaoyang District Beijing 100027 People s Republic of China Tel: 86 (10) 6465 6602 Fax: 86 (10) 6465 1793 Email: info@wildchina.com - 8 -