Beijing & the Great Wall of China incl. Dubai extension

Let's begin our holiday as we depart for Beijing China!

On arrival in Beijing we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel.

Let's get together and enjoy our first dinner.

An evening meal is included for each of the eight nights of our stay in China. The meals will be in our hotel or in a local restaurant, our guide will advise locally of the arrangements.

Today we have a full day's exploration as we uncover some of Beijing's most famous landmarks, including the Palace Museum (also known as the Forbidden City), Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven.

Discover Tiananmen Square, one of the largest in the world. Full stop  It was Chairman Mao's creation, and major rallies took place here during the Cultural Revolution.

Let’s experience more, as we pass through the ancient gates into the Forbidden City, which was off-limits to most of the world for 500 years! The Forbidden City is the best-preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China, and entering this magnificent palace is like stepping back in time. The old world of beautiful concubines and emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers around the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions, and the great halls of the palace.

*Breakfast is included each day of  our eight night stay in our hotel.*

Fall in love with Beijing's beauty on a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a complex of religious buildings symbolising the relationship between Earth and Heaven. Originally, it functioned as a vast stage for solemn rites and rituals. All of the buildings in the park, including the Round Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, represent conversations between the gods and mortals.

Next, we explore Qianmen Street, which is one of the oldest pedestrian streets and most loved shopping districts in China. This ornate shopping street has a mix of Chinese and Western shops and eateries, the most famous of which is Quanjude Chinese Restaurant, which sells over 2 million of its trademark Peking Roast Duck every year.

Let's we discover The Great Wall, a Wonder of the World which is a highlight for many on this holiday. It dates back to the 7th century BC in certain sections and was built to protect the first unified Kingdom of China. The Great Wall stretches for over 20,000 miles. Take in the scenery and gaze at the magnificence of this ancient wonder, as we walk along part of the wall. 

After lunch (not included), we stop by a Jade Factory, with precious jade jewellery and sculptures being carved. Next, we uncover the Sacred Way. This walkway is part of the Ming Tombs complex, which contains the tombs of thirteen emperors. The road is lined with eighteen pairs of stone statues and an impressive gateway.

We make our way back towards our hotel, before we get together for dinner.

Today is free for shopping, sightseeing or relaxing. Our expert local guide will be happy to tell you about places to visit and recommendations.

Join us as we discover more of Beijing's temples, with a trip to the Lama or Yonghe Temple, a Tibetan Buddist monastery. The Lama Temple contains a 26 metre tall wooden statue of the Maitreya Buddha and unique bronze statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages.

Later, we enjoy a walking tour around a traditional Hutong, an area of residential laneways and courtyards with ornate houses and gardens.

After lunch, we’ll have some free time at the Sanlitun Village, a large complex of shops and restaurants. Time to shop till we drop, and perhaps savour some tasty local dishes!

Let’s see more as we uncover Beijing in our own time. Savour some of the local dishes, shop in one of the many markets,  or explore more in the old city Hutong area.

Let's uncover more of Beijing's treasures, including the Summer Palace, a cruise on Kunming Lake and the Olympic Bird’s Nest Stadium (from the outside). Step back in time as we enter the Summer Palace, overlooking a lake and surrounded by extensive gardens and once the destination of choice for vacationing emperors and empresses.

Next, we arrive at the Long Corridor located between the lake and hill and take a slow walk down to the lake, stopping to take photos along the way down and enjoy the scenic surroundings. There will be free time to stop for lunch (not included) before we arrive at the marble boat pier. All aboard! We take a cruise across Kunming Lake, enjoying the views of Longevity Hill and the Summer Palace.

After, we transfer by coach to Olympic Park and see (from outside) the unique Bird's Nest Stadium that hosted the 2008 Olympics.

This evening, we can indulge in shopping or sightseeing at our leisure. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of further places to explore and experience. 

Time to enjoy a last day in Beijing, at our leisure.  Let’s take in some last-minute shopping, savour one last taste of the famous Peking duck or other favourite specialities, sit in a café and sip lychee tea and discover more on a walk through the old Hutong streets - the choice is ours!

It is time to say good bye to Beijing and transfer by coach to Beijing Airport for our flight to Dubai.

We have arrived in Dubai!

On arrival in Dubai you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Spend three nights in Dubai on a bed and breakfast basis.

*Please note: Your extension in Dubai will be on an individual basis rather than as part of a group and that guide services are not included for this part of the tour.

If your flight arrives at 4 or 5am early hours, early check in is guaranteed.

Discover Dubai at your leisure for the next two full days, three nights. Enjoy an independent stay in Dubai, a cosmopolitan city where the traditional and contemporary meet. You could visit Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai’s largest mosque, or Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city. Relax on the beach, or shop till you drop in one of the many Shopping Malls Dubai has to offer!

We say a fond farewell to Dubai as we depart from our hotel to Dubai airport, for our onwards flights home.