Self-guided tours around Beijing are next to impossible, bicycles tours excepted, and the best way to view this sprawling metropolis is by guided tour over a set itinerary, such as are provided by the capital's first Class Travel Agencies. Arrangements can be easily made through the hotel front desk for standard and special-interest tours, of which the following are a representative sampling.

Beijing in a Day

Morning:Tiananmen Square-Forbidden City.

Noon:By taxi from the north exit of the Forbidden City to a Beijing Duck Restaurant.

Afternoon:Temple of heaven, then by taxi to view the sunset from the Summer Palace.

Ming Tombs and the Great Wall in a Day

Morning:Temple of Heaven

Afternoon:Ming Tombs and Great Wall, where you'll have a store-bought picnic lunch.

Ming Tombs, Great Wall in Three Glorious Days

Day One:Tiananmen Square, Museum of Chinese History, Forbidden City, Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven, Liulichang.

Day Two:Ming Tombs, Great Wall, Summer Palace

Day Three:Beijing Zoo, Big Bell Temple, White Cloud Taoist Temple, Yonghe Lamasery.