Our Happy and Memorable 6 Days Beijing-Xian Tour

My Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:  15 July 2010 Beijing

After arrived in Beijing, our tour guide and driver were waiting us in the Arrivial Hall of the airport. Then we were transfered to the hotel, and the rest of the day, we just stayed in the hotel and strolled around the hotel for catching something interesting. 

Day 2:  16 July 2010 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today, we first visited the world's largest city plaza, the Tian'anmen Square; then walked to the marvelous "Egg", the National Centre for the Performing Arts to take some pictures from its outside; later went to the Forbidden City on foot; and then enjoyed the pleasure of a fantastic panorama of the whole Forbidden City and the city of Beijing from the summit of Jingshan Park.

Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world, with 440,000 square meters.

After lunch proceed to the impressive Summer Palace; in the evening, enjoyed the well-known Peking Opera in Liyuan Theatre of Qianmen Street.

Beijing's historic street cars: 'diang diang che' started running up and down the street

Day 3:  17 July 2010 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch); then Night train to Xi’an

After breakfast, we were drived to the “Mutianyu Great Wall”, which enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. For lunch, we had some delicious fare in a local restaurant. Afterwards, took a short drive to visit the Sacred Way and Changling, one of the “Ming Tombs”. On the return way to our hotel, we paid a visit to the Beijing Olympic Village to take some photos of the "Bird's Nest" and the "Water Cube" from the outside. Feel a little bit tired? Not to worry! Because we were arranged a foot massage (free of charge).

Mutianyu Section of Great Wall

Then we were escorted to the railway station to catch the night train about 9:18pm (21:18) to go to Xi’an (soft sleeper).

Day4:  18 July 2010 Xi’an (Breakfast, Lunch); then Night train to Beijing

We were picked up by tour guide in railway station and be sent to hotel for breakfast. Today’s morning our tour in Xi’an started with Terra-cotta Warrior and Horses. In the afternoon, we paid a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall.

Emperor Qin's Terra-cotta warriors-the eighth of "the world miracle" .

Later we were escorted to the railway station to take the night train to go back to Beijing (soft sleeper).

Day5:  19 July 2010 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

We were picked up by tour guide in railway station and went back to hotel for breakfast. In the morning we went to Beihai Park to appreciate the beautiful White Pagoda and the Nine-Dragon Screen; from there we took a Rickshaw to Shichahai area for a Hutong Tour and Prince Gong's Mansion.

It is the most popular way to explore the Beijing hutongs by taking a rickshaw.

Lunch was arranged at a local family, the host teached us how to make Chinese dishes; and then did some shopping at the Xiushui Silk Street.

Day6:  20 July 2010 Beijing (Breakfast,Lunch)

After breakfast and checked-out, we firstly paid a visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven; After lunch, we were escorted to Beijing International Airport to catch our flight to home.

On the way to airport we made a photo-stop at the New CCTV Tower.

New CCTV Tower of Beijing

Our tour ended!

My Review of This Tour

Satisfaction: 89%

Meals:
Accommodation:

Trip Advisor:
Tour Guide:
Drivers & Cars:

As noted previously, wanted to see China and enjoy it -- not buy it (or from it)... Charge an honest fee up front -- so there's no necessity to skim money when steering travelers to your "factories".

Tour guide and driver in Beijing were excellent: knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful, capable -- easy to deal with -- worthwhile having again.

Constant "tours" of "factories" -- actually sales sites. Quite distracting and not worth visiting -- not truly part of a China experience. Food was mostly below par.

Discarding the "factories" and viewing more museums, historical sites, and Chinese cultural activities would be beneficial.

Superb Beijing tour guide -- she is highly recommended and should be commended. Also, my contact, Mr. Will Wei, has been both helpful and flexible.