China Great Wall Tour

• The Great Wall in China is one of the most magnificent works of architecture in the history of civilization. Construction of the Great Wall began over 2,000 years ago during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Different sections were linked together after China was unified during the Qin Dynasty in the third century BC. The Great Wall was renovated twice, during the Han and Ming dynasties. Climbing the ruins of the Great Wall, visitors can appreciate the magnificent view among the mountains, that will remind visitors of the heroic people who created this piece of history.

  
  

• Beijing Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu.
• Tianjin Huangyaguan Pass in Jixian County.
• Hebei Province Qinhuangdao-Laolongtou Staring Point of the Great Wall, Shanhaiguan Pass and Baoshan Mountain. Chengde-Golden Hill.
• Shanxi Province Yanmenguan Pass.
• Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Ruins of ancient Great Wall.
• Gansu Province Jiayuguan Pass.

  
  

A. Suggested Departure Dates

Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 16, Apr 13, May 11

Jun 8, Jul 6, Aug. 3, Sep 7, Oct. 12

Nov 16, Dec 14

B. Tour Itinerary

Day 01 San Francisco / Beijing

Depart San Francisco and fly Air China trans-Pacific flight to Beijing. Cross the International Date Line. Group members from other countries should arrange your arrival in Beijing next day.

Day 02 Arrive Beijing (D)

Welcome to China's capital, the host city of 2008 Olympic Games. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer to the four-star Grandview Garden Hotel for late dinner.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L, D)

With your private guide, visit the world's largest public square -- Tiananmen Square. Then royal court Forbidden City (now a huge museum) and the Temple of Heaven, the emblem of ancient and cultural China. A Peking Duck dinner party is served tonight.

Day 04 Beijing (B, L, D)

Excursions to the Great Wall at Badaling. Climbing the Great Wall is going to be a life time experience to be remembered. Also visit the Ming Tombs secluded in the valley.

1 hour bus or train to Tianjin, the harbor city of Beijing. Visit the cultural street with traditional shops and store selling unique local deli and arts and crafts, etc.

Today we are going to visit the Huangyaguan Pass of Great Wall in Jixian County.This section stretches for 25 miles and features parapets, watchtowers and fire-pits. Though it lies 105 miles north of Tianjin it grades as one of the city's biggest attractions.

Day 07 Tianjin /Qinghuangdao (B, L, D)

Bus to Qinghuangdao, and to visit Laolongtou - staring point of the Great Wall, which runs into the sea here.

Day 08 Qinghuangdao (B, L, D)

Visit Shanhaiguan Pass, noted as the "first pass in the world" in ancient China, the throat for transportation between China's northeast 3 provinces and inland China. Listen to the story how this pass changed China's history in recent centuries. Then contine trip to visit Baoshan Mountain.

Day 09 Qinghuangdao/Chengde (B, L, D)

Bus to Chengde, a small city 4 hours away from Beijing by highway, famous for its summer palace for the emperors in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and 8 Lama temples. Check into 3 star Yunshan Hotel, the best in town.

Day 10 Chengde (B, L, D)

Visit the Great Wall at Jinshan Ridge in Luanping Couty, 130 miles from Beijing. The Great Wall at Jinshan Ridge is famous for its strategic importance and architectural engineering. Crawling along the zigzaging mountains terrain, this section of the Wall has well preserved military facilities and warehouses and shop buildings.

Day 11 Chengde/Yanmenguan (B, L, D)

Bus to Yanmenguan Passto see the earlier Han dynasty Great Wall, in Dai County, Shanxi Province.

Visit the Great Wall Yanmenguan Pass in Shanxi Province.Yanmenguan Pass is one of the Outer Three Passes (the other two are Ningwuguan Pass and Pianguan Pass) along the Great Wall. The pass, well known for its strategic importance, is located on the summit of a hill accessible only by an ancient trail which winds its way up between cliffs. 

Day 13 Shanxi / Beijing (B, L, D)

Train or bus back to Beijing. Spend the afternoon for your last minute persuit, shopping, tour or packing.

Day 14 Beijing / San Francisco (B)

Escorted to the airport after breakfast and fly back to the US. You will arrive home the same day. Group members from other country should arrange your own departure flights.

C. Tour Costs

$2,550 per person.

Land package only: $1,750 per person (without internatioanl air tickets).

Add-on arefare in US: $100--$250. Please call for your city.

D. Included Features

1. San Francisco/China round trip international air tickets;
2. Deluxe 4-5 star hotels or best available in each city;
3. 3 meals daily with American Buffet Breakfast, Chinese lunches and dinners;
4. All air and ground transportation between cities;
5. All the sightseeing as specified in the itinerary;
6. English speaking tour guides with private car or bus;
7. All entrance fees;
8. All transfers between airport / hotel, with the baggage handling assistance, etc;

E. Excluded

• China visa application;
• Airport taxes and International Departure Taxes;
• Gratuities;
• Travel incurance.