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Independent Package Includes
- Round trip flights LAX-Beijing Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices.
- Airline fuel surcharges
- 5 nights accommodations in your choice of hotels
- Arrival transfer
- Breakfast daily
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Optionals |
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards.
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Half Day Hutong
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Day #3 |
01 Apr 2008 - 31 Jul 2008 $27
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $27
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In Old China, Hutongs (lanes no wider than 9 meters) are formed by lines of siheyuan (compounds comprising rooms around a courtyard) to connect the ancient city surrounding the Forbidden City. As is tradition, the houses of Old Beijing were constructed in this form on the basis of Fengshui: the ancient Chinese practice of design and spatial arranging. On this tour, travel by rickshaw through Beijing's unique Hutong area to absorb the culture and traditions of Old China, including a visit with a local family and kindergarten class. Afterwards, visit the garden of Prince Gong's mansion and experience the lifestyle of Imperial China's elite. The garden is abundant with ponds, caves, studies, flowers, rockeries, covered corridors, terraces, pavilions and mountain peaks. Likewise, the garden is best known for its "three uniqueness": the Western-Style Gate, the Stele marked with the emperor's handwriting of "fu" (good luck), and the Grand Theater House. You will also have the opportunity to visit a tea house and observe the exquisite art of the tea ceremony at Bat Hall. Alternatively, you may choose to visit the residence of Madam Song Qing Ling, former chairperson of the China Political Association, and wife of Dr. Sun Yet Sun. The residence was originally a prince's mansion during the Qing Dynasty but was rebuilt in 1963 by the People's Republic of China for Madam Song Qing Ling. The main building was later converted into an exhibition hall to honor the life accomplishments of Madam Song Qing Ling. Encompassing the hall is a magnificent garden, beautifully decorated with willow trees, pines, cypresses, rock gardens, and ponds.
Departs at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off at the hotel.
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Dinner at Local Beijing Restaurant
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Day #3 |
01 Apr 2008 - 31 Jul 2008 $15
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $15
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Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Details to be advised locally.
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Full Day Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven with lunch
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Day #4 |
01 Apr 2008 - 31 Jul 2008 $48
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $48
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Enjoy a full day excursion to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated and renamed two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt and the flowing Great Wall of China. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site is comprised of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant close to the Forbidden City before visiting the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor (considered the "Son of Heaven") displayed his respect to the heavens through ceremonial prayer. The temple is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing and is famous for its white-marbled, circular altar.
Departs at 9:30 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off at the hotel.
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Full Day Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Zoo with lunch
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Day #5 |
01 Apr 2008 - 31 Jul 2008 $46
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $46
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Today's full day excursion begins at Lama Temple, also known as Yong He Palace. Admire the inverted eaves, archways and Tibetan-style murals adorning the palace built for royal family members in 1694. Interestingly, the palace was rededicated a Buddhist Temple in 1723. Continue for a visit to the Beijing Zoo, situated in the Xicheng District, en route to the Summer Palace. The Zoo, which houses over 600 animal species within its 30 giant halls, was built on the site of a former imperial park. See exotic species like the Polar Bear, Kangaroo and African Zebra, along with China's most celebrated native animals--the Giant Panda and the Golden Monkey. Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant nearby before an afternoon visit to the Summer Palace. Known for its architecture and exquisite scenery, the Palace once served as the summer residence for the imperial households of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Return to Beijing in the early evening.
Departs at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off at the hotel.
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Full Day Great Wall & Ming Tombs with lunch
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Day #6 |
01 Apr 2008 - 31 Jul 2008 $52
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $52
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Enjoy a full day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest man-made structure on Earth, spanning nearly 4,000 miles of China's northern frontier. Walk along the promenades and enjoy the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century defensive fortification. Afterwards, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs. Here you will visit Changling Tomb, the largest and best preserved of the 13 tombs, and the burial site of Emperor Yongle.
Departs at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick up and drop off at the hotel.
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards.
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Rates & Hotels |
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What is Airfare Type?
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- Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking.
- Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement.
To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare.
Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc.
Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details.
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Airfare Type
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We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change.
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Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333.
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Select Number of Rooms
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