Before you go on your Beijing tour probably you’ll have to plan it beforehand. What’s to see in Beijing? Where to go? Well, don’t panic and read this list of “Top 10 of things to see in your Beijing Tour” 1) Forbidden City The Forbidden City was initially an imperial palace for the Ming and […]
Before you go on your Beijing tour probably you’ll have to plan it beforehand. What’s to see in Beijing? Where to go? Well, don’t panic and read this list of “Top 10 of things to see in your Beijing Tour”
1) Forbidden City The Forbidden City was initially an imperial palace for the Ming and the Qing dynasties, it was built in 1420 and it has 980 buildings of different ages and artistic styles, who served as imperial residence and political courts during centuries. One of its peculiarities is that all these buildings are surrounded by a moat who is 52 meters wide and 6 meters deep.
2) Tiananmen Square, situated in the same metro stop of The forbidden City is the center, the most important place in Beijing, in the square you can visit Mao Zedong’s mausoleum where his body is preserved, the Monument to the Pepole’s Heroes and the South door.
3) The Great Wall The Great Wall is believed to be 21,196 kilometers long. It is a gigantic construction and it extends from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Lake in the west, roughly following the form of Mongolia.
4) The Temple of Heaven The temple of Heaven was created between 1406 and 1420 by the emperor Yongle and it’s a Temple in honor of the Heavens and the Good Harvests. A must-see.
5) Silk Market; The tourist shopping paradise, there you can bargain for the best things, clothes, souvenirs…
6) Nanglugouxiang In there you can see the Hútòngs. The Hútòngs have formed Beijing since 907, there are more than 2000 but only 360 have a name, in fact there is a Chinese proverb that says: “There are 360 hutong with names and as many nameless hutong as there are hairs on a cow”, There you can see the traditional ways of living in Beijing.
7) Hou Hai Lake The Houhai lake zone is a district that is formed by a lake and its surroundings, mostly Hútòngs. There you can chill-out and it has a very active night-life.
8) Summer Palace The Summer Palace was the royal summer residence during the Qing Dynasty. The palace grounds cover an area of 290 hectares, three quarters of which is a lake.
9) Wangfujing It is a street full of shops and it’s been commercially active since the Ming dynasty and in the Qing dynasty was the place where the aristocrats chose to live after a well of sweet water was discovered there.
10) Bell tower The Bell Tower was used to tell the time. The bell sounded every evening until the last emperor left the Forbidden City. The bell is 7 meters tall and weighs 63 tons.
These are the 10 most important things you can see in your Beijing Tour, don’t miss any of them!
During your travel to China you can do lots of thing, depending on where you are and what are your interests, but there is one thing that you cannot avoid. The greatest construction of all time, the only thing human made that can be seen from the moon: The Great Wall. It’s not that you […]
During your travel to China you can do lots of thing, depending on where you are and what are your interests, but there is one thing that you cannot avoid. The greatest construction of all time, the only thing human made that can be seen from the moon: The Great Wall. It’s not that you should include it in your china trip, is that you MUST.
The Great Wall is a gigantic construction that is believed to be 21,196 kilometers long (including the branches and the natural barriers that the ancient Chinese had included in the wall) and it extends from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Lake in the west, roughly following the form of Mongolia.
It’s believed to be started the 800 B.C, but it was reinforced and rebuilt the 221 B.C by Qin Shi Huang from the Qin dynasty, to protect their territory from the enemy, some sources said that up to one million workers died constructing this part.
Later in the 14th century, in the beginning of the Ming era, and following its defeat by the Mongolian, the emperor decided to reconstruct the wall and reinforce it, it was made of bricks instead of rammed earth and a large quantity of watchtowers (it’s believed that more than 25,000) were built to ensure the security of Ming’s dynasty’s land and to stop enemies from entering in their territory.
Now the Wall is mostly in ruins because it’s impossible to maintain it for it is very large, but you can still visit some parts, mostly reconstructed and adapted for tourism.
One of the best parts to go if you want to combine the visit and a little bit of adventure is in the south-east of Jinshanling, at 2h by car from Beijing; it’s called the Mutianyu Great Wall and it’s a 3 kilometers completely restored part.
In this part of the wall you can go up either by walking or in what they call “cable car” but it’s really a two seats chairlift, there you can ascend to the
top of the mountain and also to the top of the wall when you can walk along until you reach one of the watchtowers that had been restored, it is very hot and the stairs are uneven so be prepared, also bring your own food because the prizes there are unbelievingly high.
Going down is another adventure, you can go down in the same “cable car” or you can slide down in the “toboggan”. This is the best thing you can do because it’s not just a funny way to go down the Great Wall; it’s also beautiful because you slide between the trees and the nature.
The Great Wall is a great place to go, so if you are travelling to China make sure that you make time to go in a one-day excursion to the Great Wall and you can see with your own eyes the magnificence of the most important of all the Chinese constructions.
Only 70km northeast of Beijing (approx. two hours by road), visitors can explore the delights of the most well-preserved part of the Great Wall of China. This section of the Wall is called Mutianyu and snakes around the hillsides overlooking Beijing in the distance. Comprising of twenty-two watch towers, Mutianyu is undoubtedly a ‘must-see’ on […]
Only 70km northeast of Beijing (approx. two hours by road), visitors can explore the delights of the most well-preserved part of the Great Wall of China. This section of the Wall is called Mutianyu and snakes around the hillsides overlooking Beijing in the distance. Comprising of twenty-two watch towers, Mutianyu is undoubtedly a ‘must-see’ on a visitor’s China Tours itinerary. More information about accommodation in the area can be provided at China Hotels. In terms of fees to enter the wall at Mutianyu, the general admission fee is 45RMB and for children and under 12s the fee is 25RMB.
The section of the Wall at Mutianyu is made of granite and stands at a height of 7–8.5 metres and stretches to a width of 4-5metres. The original purpose of Mutianyu was to act as a barrier in defending the nation’s capital and the imperial tombs. The first construction phrase of Mutianyu began in the time of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 – 557) and since then, Mutianyu developed under the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Two famous generals, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, were noted for expanding this section of the Wall and transforming it into a strategic pass. With some very defining features, Mutianyu can indeed be classed as a very special section of the Wall. For example, one rarity which can be found along Mutianyu includes a defence mechanism on the Wall which allows the enemy to be attacked from both sides. Another relatively uncommon feature of Mutianyu is three connecting watchtowers which can be found at Mutianyu Pass.
Food at the Mutianyu can be very expensive (do not be surprised that a local pancake could cost over 100 RMB). Besides local food, Mutianyu does offer more western menus such as a Subway sandwich shop and an Italian café. Alternatively, choosing to take a picnic is a great way in which to combine a day out at Mutianyu and enjoy what this part of the Wall has to offer. If you decide to walk up to the walk, the forested route does provide the odd seated location to have a picnic and admire the stunning landscape. This is a very scenic location with woodland encompassing over ninety-six percent of the area around Mutianyu, so a visit here is certainly a welcomed break for urban dwellers.
For those who prefer not to walk to the top, there is always the option of taking the cable car. The cable car stops near a spacious terrace and from there visitors can peer over some stunning views of the Wall. On the terrace you may be able to spot Beijing in the distance and characters written on the hillside which signifies admiration for Chairman Mao. Apart from the cable car and walking, one of the most enjoyable methods to return down from Mutianyu is to take the toboggan. However, note that if you do bring children with you to Mutianyu, there is a fair amount of walking around the Wall and there is a height restriction on the toboggan ride. Nevertheless, Mutianyu is an excellent place for all the family to experience the scenery and history of northern China. Mutianyu can be visited throughout the year with China Flights being a useful source to get your oriental trip started.
There are three things that you need to see while you’re on your China tour the first is a Panda, the second ‘The Great Wall’ and the third is the Terracotta Warriors (I will write about the warriors in another blog). Hiking the Great Wall might not be easy but it will be worth the […]
There are three things that you need to see while you’re on your China tour the first is a Panda, the second ‘The Great Wall’ and the third is the Terracotta Warriors (I will write about the warriors in another blog). Hiking the Great Wall might not be easy but it will be worth the time during your China travels. Many people visit China and many people miss the opportunity to climb the ‘Great Wall of China’. Don’t be one of those people.
Short History-
Throughout the Spring and Autumn period, there was seven states that fought with one another. To protect themselves they started to build walls and put troop around these wall watch for invaders. In 221 BC a man by the name of Qin defeated the other six states, and set up the first kingdom in China. While he was emperor he had the wall connected to protect against Huns. In the Ming Dynasty the emperors had the walls enlarged and fortresses and watch towers built, to stop minority tribes from invading. Even though the Qing Dynasty started off fixing the wall by the middle of the dynasty all engineering work stopped. Today the all the parts that the visitor can visit where mended to ensure the safety of the sightseers.
The Great Wall is a hike since it crosses the tops of the mountains. There are two ways to get up to the top the first you can hike to the top and the second you can take a cable car. If you so choose to hike up to the ‘Great Wall’ make sure you are ready to walk up 1,000s of stairs. Even though there are 1,000s of stairs it won’t take long for you to hike them. The cable car does cost 60RMBs to ride.
When you get to the top you will see an unbelievable view of the Great Wall. You will be able to see the Great Wall for miles surrounded by trees. During the summer months the trees will be green. In October the colors of the trees will start to change to yellows, reds and orange making it look enchanted.
The length of the Great Wall is 5,500 miles. It took 2000 years to build starting in the Warring State period to the Ming Dynasty (476 BC-1644). There are six sections you can visit some of these sections might be easier to hike then others. Some sections of the wall have only stairs and these stairs do not match up. Some are bigger, some are tall, some are long and some are short and small. So it is hard to get a pattern down when you are walking up them. So these Stairs go either straight up or straight down. Other sections have smooth walking paths and some stairs, these sections are easier to hike.
If you want to go to the Great Wall you can book your tour through chinaTravelDepot.com. The price includes a private car that will pick you up in front of your Beijing hotel, entrance fees and a local travel guide. Just remember that you need to make it your goal to visit the Great Wall of China.
With the Great Wall of China being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I had very high expectations of my trip to the Muitianyu section. With the help of China Tours, I was able to book a day visit which picked me up directly from my Beijing Hotel and took me the 70km journey to the wall […]
With the Great Wall of China being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I had very high expectations of my trip to the Muitianyu section. With the help of China Tours, I was able to book a day visit which picked me up directly from my Beijing Hotel and took me the 70km journey to the wall by airconditioned coach. Muitianyu is considered the most preserved section of the Great Wall of China and is less crammed with tourists compared to Badaling.
About the Muitianyu Great Wall
The Mutitianyu Great Wall was first built in the 6th Century AD, making it the oldest part of the Wall. It was later rebuilt in 1569 to which most parts are still in excellent condition, making it the best quality of all the sections of the Great Wall of China. US President Bill Clinton visited this part of the wall in 1998, stating “The Great Wall here is very beautiful, very grand, more beautiful and grander than what I imagined”. So it that is anything to go by, it makes it a must see for Chinese culture enthusiasts.
Getting up and down the Great Wall
You can get up to the wall by either cable car or by walking. If you intend to walk, there a lots of steep stairs to climb which can get very tiring and require several breaks inbetween to take in the views and catch your breath.
The wall itself is 3km long, consisting of 22 watchtowers which you can climb to the top of to get a better view. The wall is surrounded by forests and streams with views of distant mountains.
Once you get up to the top of the wall, you can either walk, take the cable car, or use the novelty toboggan slide down.
Things worth noting
If you intend on walking up or down the wall, wearing comfortable shoes is a must. The last thing you want is to be preoccupied with plasters whilst trying to enjoy your day.
Bring some spending money. Getting onto the wall requires a small fee (45RMB for adults and 25RMB for students who produce a valid Student ID) and the cable cars and toboggan slide require a little bit more. There are many street stalls selling a wide variety of traditional chinese goods and fruit and is a perfect way to test your haggling technique in preparation for the silk market.
Charge your camera up the night before. On visiting the wall myself, I took around 200 photographs so be prepared to get some beautiful scenic photographs. You can also spot the Chinese men dressed in tradition Chinese armour and get a photograph with them for a small donation.
So if you plan on taking a Beijing tour, the Mutitianyu Great Wall is a must see. It is an experience that I will always remember thanks to my excellent photographs, Chinese memorabilia and the blisters on my feet due to my lack of preparation!
The Great Wall of China is one of the main attractions for tourists who Travel to Beijing for the first time. Even for people who have been there before they still find many new and surprising places to explore. Today I will give you some information on this wonderful location that should definitely be a […]
The Great Wall of China is one of the main attractions for tourists who Travel to Beijing for the first time. Even for people who have been there before they still find many new and surprising places to explore. Today I will give you some information on this wonderful location that should definitely be a part of you itinerary during your China Tours.
Overview of the Great Wall
The Great Wall of China has thousands of famous passes. One of the most famous is Badalin which is located in the outer town of Juyong Pass. This is has been named as one of the top nine passes in the world. This is because it boasts a strategically important position which has gained it long history and rich culture. It also has spectacular architecture and inspiring Views for these reasons, Badaling Great Wall is an outstanding representative of the Great Wall of China. It is the best part of Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
Climate Features
The Badaling section of the Great Wall has pleasant climates all year, featuring four distinctive seasons. Located at the arched area in the southern end of the Yanshan Mountain subsidence zone, Badaling Great Wall rolls over green mountains adjacent to ravines and gullies. More than 96 % of this area is covered with trees and greenery. The wall is built upon mountain ridges, which range from 600M to a whopping 1,000m above the sea level. Thus giving this section of the wall unique geographical and climate conditions, Badaling Great Wall is always on average 6～8℃ lower than downtown Beijing.
Tourist service centre.
The Staff are very keen to not harm the land too much and to let it develop naturally, However they want to keep it save assessable for tourists who visit. They make a whole heartedly effort in looking after and promoting the spirits and cultures of the Great Wall.
Located 200 meters to the north of the Pass, the center has an information desk that supplies panoramic guide maps, tourism route maps and electronic tour guide services in to the scenic spot. It also supplies electrically powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, baby strollers and walking sticks. The staff will provide accurate information and warm services to tourists on the scenic spot. Such as which parts are most the best to visit, which parts are most spectacular, and which parts are fit for a rest. They will also answer and questions or queries.
Some useful Numbers:
Hotline service: (010)69121383
Service telephone
Tourism consultation: (010)69122222
Tourism complaints: (010)69121235
Medical service: (010)69121209
Broadcasting service: (010)69121617
Police service: (010)69121477
For more information,Please check our websiteBeijing Tours.
Wish you a pleasant Journey, good luck!
In the early period of China’s known existence, civilization was scarce due to the vast deserts, mountains, and seas. For century’s China was isolated from other parts of the world which gives an insight to the origins of Chinese culture and evidently is still seen today. If this is for you then a China Tour or […]
In the early period of China’s known existence, civilization was scarce due to the vast deserts, mountains, and seas. For century’s China was isolated from other parts of the world which gives an insight to the origins of Chinese culture and evidently is still seen today. If this is for you then a China Tour or China Flights is recommended for the best deals.
Map of China
There is too much history in China to even attempt to write in a blog, so I will focus on points of history I believe to be some of the most interesting and unique. It begins in 2200 BC in the Xia Dynasty, followed by the Shang Dynasty, then West Han Dynasty and East Han Dynasty centuries went by.
- Modern China during 1644-1911 was rules under the Qing Dynasty in which the capital city of Beijing was founded. During this time was the building of Summer Palace by Empress Dowager Cixi in 1888.
- It was only until 1911 that communism in china began to grow after the Qing Dynasty.
- In 1925 did the Forbidden City be allowed to the public as a historic Museum after thousands of years of being hidden from the world.
- In 1974, a huge discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors and horses were found in Xi’an, a major world treasure about Chinese culture.
- In 1987, the Great Wall and Forbidden City as World Cultural Heritages.
- In October 1949 the People’s Republic of China became established into Chinese history.
Summer Palace
Lets not forget the most recent achievement to be the Beijing Olympics in 2008, which proved the to the world that China is a great place to visit. As China becomes ever more modern in its own rapidly growing economy, it is the best time to go here and explore the opportunities it can bring.
It is an exciting time in China right now so book your China Flights right now!
For every foreign visitor who wants to china travel, the best option is the Multi-City Tour, so that you can have a more general impression ofChina Tours. However, how to find your best trip routes? Here, I will give you some suggestions about it. Wonderful! You can choose your travel routes according to different themes, […]
For every foreign visitor who wants to china travel, the best option is the Multi-City Tour, so that you can have a more general impression ofChina Tours. However, how to find your best trip routes? Here, I will give you some suggestions about it.
Wonderful! You can choose your travel routes according to different themes, such as Sightseeing Tours, and several options are showed to you: Beijing—Xi’an—Shanghai.
Along this route, you can enjoy both the most renowned Chinese gardens and historical sights with interest and passion. From Terracotta Warriors for the first Chinese emperor to the imperial Forbidden City to the last emperor, from the most developed city of Shanghai with skyscrapers and bars to the tranquil countryside. This is the one just for you.
The highlights of this package tour are followed: the ancient China civilization and modern progress Review glories at Olympic Park, the ancient life size Terra-Cotta Warrior Corps Feel modern development in Shanghai… And more details are followed:
Great Wall
As a symbol of ancient Chinese civilization, The Great Wall of China has stood for more than 2,000 years. The Great Wall of China was built in stages from the 5th century BC up to the 16th century AD as protection against northern nomadic tribes. Stretching from the coast of the Bohai Bay in the east and ending at the Jiayu Pass in the west, it snakes along the back of mountains, deserts and valleys for 6,350km (3900 miles). It is said to be 1 of the only 2 human engineering projects visible by astronauts from space with the naked eye. Built of huge granite slabs and special sized bricks, the Great Wall at Badaling 75km (47 miles) north of Beijing is most typical part of the Wall during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). There the wall is wide enough for 5 horsemen to ride abreast or 10 men to walk side by side. And there is a famous saying in China, which is: you are not a hero until you get up to the Great Wall on your own effort. So nowadays, the Great Wall is one of the first attractions that foreign tourists will visit.
Terracotta Army
The vaults or pits containing Qin Shihuang’s Terracotta Army are located about 40 km east of Xian. This army of more than 6,000 life size terracotta warriors, with horses and chariots lined up facing east and ready for battle, is one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological findings. 
The terracotta warriors were made for Qin Shihuang, a great emperor in ancient China and also known as The First Emperor and with his mausoleum laying only 1.5km away it is assumed the army was made to accompany him on his journeys after death. This attraction will give you another view of the prospect of ancient China.
The Bund
The Bund is the classic image of Shanghai and the city’s main attraction. Sweeping along the western side of the Huangpu River, the majestic buildings date back to Shanghai’s grandest days. Many banks and financial companies built impressive offices here in the early 20th century when Shanghai was the financial capital of Asia. The city side of The Bund is packed with classic architecture. Buildings to look out for include the old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the Customs House and its landmark clock, the Bank of China and the Peace Hotel. By the way, you can enjoy the World Exposition which is held in Shanghai now.
OK, here is just one of suggestions for you, and if you want to learn more information, you can go to the website on chinatraveldepot.com, or if you just want to Travel to Beijing, you can find whatever you want here. Good luck.
If you Travel to Beijing, you must have heard a saying about the Great Wall, from your Chinese friends or saw it in the tourism booklet in China Hotels. It is “He, who has never been to the Great Wall, is not a true man”. But do you have any ideas about the resource of […]
If you Travel to Beijing, you must have heard a saying about the Great Wall, from your Chinese friends or saw 
it in the tourism booklet in China Hotels. It is “He, who has never been to the Great Wall, is not a true man”. But do you have any ideas about the resource of this popular saying? It was firstly said by Mao Zedong or Chairman Mao, who was the first Chairman of P.R.China. Besides his leadership, he is also a widely known poet who wrote 129 poets in total. This saying was from one of his poems Qing Ping Le · Liu Pan Mountain (清平乐·六盘山). He wrote this poet in October, 1935, when he led the Red Army to the destination of Long March (12,500km) in Liu Pan Mountain.
However, the Great Wall whose major part was built in Qin Dynasty (221 BC. to 
207 BC.) is from Shan Hai Guan (山海关) as the east point to Jia Yu Guan (嘉峪关) as the west point. It is not within the area of the Liu Pan Mountain. Some people doubt that the Great Wall mentioned in Chairman Mao’s poet is a virtual one. While other people think that it refers to the old Great Wall of Warring States period (475 BC. to 221 BC). Anyway, the official explanation is the Great Wall which is usually referred by visitors.
Back to Qing Dynasty when the Great Wall was being built, another legend happened and began to be spread generations by generations. On the wedding day, the husband of Meng Jiang Nv (孟姜女) was arrested by a group of ferocious soldiers without any reasons.
Then he was taken to the construction site of the Great Wall, doing harsh labor work. This woman, Meng Jiang Nv, was so heartbroken that she decided to go out and search for her husband in the construction site. Despite the dangerous journey and harsh weather, she was supported by the spirit of love and finally succeeded to arrive at the construction site. However, horrible news was waiting for her that her husband was already dead and his body was buried under the root of the wall. She cried for three days and nights and the Bodhisattva were moved by her. A part of the Great Wall was collapsed and her husband’s body appeared. Finally this couple met each other, however, one was alive and the other was not breathing anymore. Although it is an old story, it presented us a real but cruel process of building it. When you touch the blocks on the Great Wall, you may feel that these stones are the witness of thousands of such sad stories during that period of history.
Another anecdote or issue about the Great Wall emerged in this decade. A long-time belief was that it is only the human work visible by eyes on the moon. However, it has been turned out that this is a rumor and scientific evidence proved it.
When you are on the Great Wall, you might notice the fact that there is a tower-like structure every certain distance. This is the ancient Beacon Towers used for reporting the emergency invasion of enemies. The Beacon Towers were already used for transferring signals before the Great Wall was built. There are also Beacon Towers built in other places, such as some western cities located on the old Silk Road. But most of them are on the Great Wall, especially during the Han Dynasty (202 BC. to 220 AD).
If you are not enough with the Great Wall in Beijing, you can Travel to Xi’an or other cities in Shanxi province for more ruins of not so well-known great walls built in ancient time.
Explore Beijing in a unique, and exhilarating way; from the seat of a bike! With Bicycle tours, you can get up close and personal with an ancient civilization and progressing society all at once. Traveling by bike offers a healthy, environmentally friendly, convenient, economical, safe and fun means of travel, transportation and recreation. Whether it be […]
Explore Beijing in a unique, and exhilarating way; from the seat of a bike! With Bicycle tours, you can get up close and personal with an ancient civilization and progressing society all at once. Traveling by bike offers a healthy, environmentally friendly, convenient, economical, safe and fun means of travel, transportation and recreation. Whether it be through Beijing’s famous hutongs, or through the majestic Great Wall , we offer a fun, safe, and quality bike touring experience. Furthermore, the bike is an independent way of transport. You can travel at your own pace.
Detailed Itinerary:
Pick up and transfer 30km to Rural area,villages to villages the lane leads to the great wall Huanghuacheng Section (Original) or Mutianyu Section (good facility),peaceful,beautiful,scenery,farms,canals,reservoir,streams, orchards,picking fruits, bike the last parts which is the best parts of the roads to the Wall, then hike on the wall, great life experience… We provide full supports to make it possible in one day…
