7 Days Imperial Tour for All Seasons

Destination:Beijing, Chengde

Tour Code: CTT08

Tour Duration: 7 Days

Tour overview:
An amazing place, Chengde is not often visited by tourists. Built in the 18th century for the Kangxi Emperor as a summer resort, it is filled with palaces, temples, and so much more. It is an art museum of architecture. This China train tour also visits Beijing, China’s capital for over 500 years. You will see some of the most spectacular tourist sites on the planet. As with all of our China tours, this itinerary meets all of our high standards for excellence.

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Day by Day Itinerary

Tour Summary

Reviews

B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Day 1

Beijing Arrival

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Then you will spend the rest of the day exploring the nearby streets, or resting and catching up on your jet lag.

Day 2

Beijing (B, L)

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Beijing-Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City

This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing. In the park nearby local people practice Tai Chi or sing and dance relaxingly. They will invite you to join in with these activities which will become a very worthwhile and unforgettable experience.

After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.

From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. (Also Bertolucci's film "The Last Emperor" was produced here). Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.

Day 3

Beijing (B, L)

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way

After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Badaling Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!

In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors. Finally, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors and visit one of the spectacular tombs, indeed an underground palace.

Day 4

Beijing (B, L)

Beijing (B, L)

Transfer via: soft sleeper train arranged by us
Sightseeing: Hutong Rickshaw Tour, Xiushui Street, Summer Palace

We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a men-driven rickshaw this morning. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people. We will make stops to visit a local family and experience how the people of Beijing live.

Then we will visit the Xiushui Street, which is a market located nearby the embassy area where you can find a number of duplicates of clothing in traditional Chinese style. Here you will mingle with Beijing people, overseas and local art dealers as well as farmers who import goods from the countryside. Therefore you may find some interesting things and enjoy your bargaining with shopkeepers.

After having lunch at a local restaurant, you can spend the whole afternoon to visit the famous royal garden-Summer Palace. In 1888, the notorious Empress Cixi used the money intended for the Chinese Navy to build this opulent summer retreat for herself. Have a lakeside cruise on the lovely Kunming Lake and enjoy the magical views of the temples, pavilions and covered corridors around.

Day 5

Beijing to Chengde (B, L)

Beijing to Chengde (B, L)

Transfer via: soft seat train arranged by us
Sightseeing: Mountain Resort

In the morning, you will be transferred to the railway station and take the train to Chengde directly.

Chengde, originally called Rehe, was once the summer resort capital of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Mountain Resort and Eight Outer Temples are listed as world cultural heritage sites. This led to Chengde becoming one the most famous cities in the world.

Upon your arrival in Chengde, you will be met and visit the Mountain Resort, which is situated in the northern part of Chengde. Also called the “Temporary Imperial Dwelling Palace”, it was built by the Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 A.D-1911 A.D) for the sake of stabilizing the frontier region and maintaining the unity of multi - nationalities. The large resort is considered the most remarkable imperial garden still existing in today’s China. The mountain resort possesses scenery featuring those of both north and south China.

Day 6

Chengde to Beijing (B, L)

Chengde to Beijing (B, L)

Transfer via: soft seat train arranged by us
Sightseeing: Putuo Zongcheng Temple / Puning Temple

In the morning you will depart from your hotel to visit the Putuo Zongcheng Temple. Built in 1771, the Putuo Zongcheng Temple is a very splendid one. It covers an area of 220,000 square meters and was built similarly to Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet in architectural style. That is why it is also called the lesser Potala Palace. (It is a temple of Tibetan Buddhism)

Then we will visit the Puning Temple. The Puning Temple (with its popular name Big Buddha Temple) is located in the north-west of Chengde city. It was built in 1759, and was one of the most important places for the emperor to worship Buddha. It houses the biggest sculpture of the Goddess Kwan-yin in the world.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the railway station and take your train back to Beijing. Arriving in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 7

Beijing Departure (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Today, you will enjoy some more leisure time, until our guide will escort you to the airport for the flight to your next destination.

B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Tour Dates Destinations Services Provided Meals Included
Day 1
Beijing

Arrive at Beijing, the capital of China. Our local guide will meet you at airport and transfer you to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 2
Beijing

Depart from your hotel in the morning to have city tours to visit Tiananmen Square ,Walking across the Golden River Bridge, enter the Forbidden City .After your lunch the tour goes on with a visit of the The Temple of Heaven

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 3
Beijing

In the morning, depart from your hotel after breakfast. Spending about 1.5 hours to be transferred outside the city to the surrounding countryside to visit the Badaling Great Wall .After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the fabled Ming Tombs The Sacred Way

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 4
Beijing

Have a unique Hutong Tours in Rickshaw in the morning.Then visit the Xiushui Street ,After having lunch at a local restaurant, spend your whole afternoon to visit the famous royal garden Summer Palace

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 5
Beijing/Chengde

In the morning, be transferred to the railway station and take train to Chengde directly.Arrive at the ancient city-Chengde. Be met and visit Imperial Summer Villa (Bishu Shanzhuang) & Mountain Resort and Outlying Temples .Then be transferred back to your hotel. Free at leisure in the evening.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Chengde Palace Hotel Sheng Hua Hotel Bifeng Hotel Chengde City
B L D
Day 6
Chengde/Beijing

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit the Putuo Zongcheng Temple and Puning Temple .After lunch at a local restaurant, be transferred to railway station and take train back to Beijing. Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 7
Beijing

Free at leisure until to be transferred to the airport for next destination.

B L D

Price

Season Tour Class Group Size Single Room
Supplement
1pax 2-5pax 6-9pax
Peak Season 3*(Tourist Class) $1102 $688 $565 $254
4*(Deluxe Class) $1344 $809 $686 $375
5*(First Class) $1562 $918 $795 $484

-NOTE:

1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.

2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.

3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.

Price Includes

A. Entrance fees：To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Quick Questions

Our team is waiting for your questions. Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about our China package tours, Chinese culture, or the sites available. We will gladly help you with any special needs you might have and all questions, like our trip designing is completely free of charge.