Holidays to Beijing & Great Wall - China

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Beijing is the cultural and historic heart of China, a mix of ancient Imperial, Communist-era and modern day influences.

The country's capital offers visitors the chance to journey through centuries of extraordinary history and observe modern life in a thriving 21st century China. In the sprawling 15th century Forbidden City, on the sacred steps of the Temple of Heaven and in the landscaped gardens of the Summer Palace, you can relive the might and power of the Dynastic years, when all-powerful emperors ruled over China.

In the vast Tiananmen Square, the uncompromising communism of the Chairman Mao era is embodied in the brutal Soviet style buildings which line this immense public space. At one end a large portrait of the infamous dictators stands watch across to his huge mausoleum at the other.

Venture into the city's ancient hutong alleyways and you'll find pockets of life largely untouched by the explosive capitalism of recent years. The younger generation might be moving to the apartment blocks of the outskirts, but these streets are still home to Mao-era Beijingers, who rise early to take their communal exercises in the park, gather weekly to sing their red songs and take their caged birds for walks. But Beijing is not all about the past; micro-breweries, contemporary hotels and the flourishing 798 Art District lend the city a young, creative and dynamic edge. Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism thrive and co-exist harmoniously, celebrated and worshipped in their magnificent temples and adding another layer of complexity to this fascinating city.

Beijing is also a great place from which to access the mythical Great Wall of China. These range from reconstructed and easily accessed areas around an hour from the city, to more wilder and atmospheric sections slightly further afield.

Forbidden City
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Forbidden City

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Insights - Forbidden City

Forbidden City
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The former imperial palace was home to 24 Chinese emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. Large sumptuously decorated palaces, gates and halls are linked by landscaped gardens, traditional pavilions and spacious courtyards, lined with typical architecture and adorned with intricate statues, marble bridges and other fascinating details.

Temple of Heaven
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Temple of Heaven

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Insights - Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven
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The Temple of Heaven was first built in the 15th century by the Ming Dynasty and one of the most important imperial temples in all of China. The emperor, seen as a conduit between heaven and earth, would come here, specifically to the lavishly ornate Temple of Good Harvest, each new year to offer sacrifices and pray for a favourable harvest. Set in a large public park, surrounded by ancient cypress trees, this immense collection of 92 religious buildings is considered by UNESCO "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design" and exploring the site gives you the opportunity to learn more about Chinese philosophical beliefs, cosmogony, art, dynastic politics and sacrificial rituals.

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Summer Palace

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Insights - Summer Palace

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The Summer Palace is set amid peaceful landscaped parkland that feels a long way from the noise of downtown Beijing. The park is dominated by the huge Kunming Lake, whilst the palace buildings themselves sit on Longevity Hill. A visit here gives you the chance to learn more about the infamous Empress Cixi, who restored the palaces in the 19th century and spent a lot of her time here.

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Hutongs

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Insights - Hutongs

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Beijing's hutongs are narrow atmospheric alleyways lined with small houses, whose distinctive oriental rooftops cluster around central courtyards. Visiting the hutongs is like stepping into a whole new world and being transported back in time. It is hear that we find Beijing's traditional core, a place to try authentic cuisine, buy local handicrafts and artwork, pause at a tea house and learn Chinese caligraphy, paper cutting and local street games . They can be explored on foot, bicyle or by rickshaw.

Great Wall of China

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Insights - Great Wall of China

One of the world's most mythical and alluring constructions, the Great Wall of China is an imposing series of fortifications, over 30,000 miles in total and thought to be the only man-made structure visible from space. Work began on a great wall, to protect China from raids by the barbaric nomadic tribes of the north, as far back as 220 BC, however most of what remains today was built during the Ming dynasty in the late 15th century. Perhaps most astonishing of all is the terrain over which the wall climbs, cutting over and down often precipitous remote mountainsides. It is a long time since it fulfilled its original purpose, but the wall remains a powerful and enduring symbol of Chinese strength and a striking representation of its adverseness to outside influences.

There are several points from which to access the Great Wall from the capital Beijing, the most popular being the Badaling Pass, some 40 miles north of the capital and offering panoramic views of re-constructed watchtowers and fortifications. The pass can also be combined with a visit to the vast Ming tombs.

To avoid the biggest crowds, it is worth travelling a little further to Jinshanling, where the rebuilt 16th century wall continues to gently rise over the breathtaking mountains here, 80 miles north of Beijing. You might also be intrigued to learn that panoramic cable cars can whisk you up to the walls at Mutianyu, rather than climbing more than 1,000 steps.

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Suggested Itineraries

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China

Dynasty Tour

13 Nights from £3,777 €3,632 $3,910

Travel back in time from the futuristic skyscrapers of Shanghai, through rural life in the country's most beguiling landscapes to tales of China's dynastic…

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Emperor Tour

13 Nights from £3,822 €3,686 $3,968

Our classic tour through China's essential highlights. Visit the Great Wall near Beijing, see pandas and the Terracotta Army up close and cruise through su…

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Yangtze Tour

16 Nights from £4,244 €4,192 $4,517

Cruise down the Yangtze River and see China's most iconic sights; adorable pandas, the Forbidden City and Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, futuristic Shang…

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Tibetan Discovery Tour

16 Nights from £5,191 €5,329 $5,748

Venture into Tibet to admire historic monasteries, lavish palaces and breathtaking landscapes and discover how this mysterious and holy land is adapting to…

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Naxi Tour

14 Nights from £5,605 €5,826 $6,286

Journey through the Yunnan province, admire stunning landscapes and enjoy privileged cultural experiences as you go behind the scenes on the old Tea Horse …

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Mandarin Tour

22 Nights from £6,939 €7,426 $8,020

Journey across China and back to culturally-rich cities and storybook landscapes. Marvel at the Terracotta Army and Great Wall and see a giant Buddha and a…

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China Family Tour

14 Nights from £3,992 €3,890 $4,189

Our specially designed family tour to China's most iconic sights. Visit Beijing's Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, then get up close…

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Beijing City Break Tour

8 Nights from £1,812 €1,274 $1,355

Discover Beijing on our in-depth city break. Explore the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace and visit the Great Wall of China.

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Beijing & Great Wall
Excursions & Attractions

Hike the Great Wall of China

Hike along a wild and atmospheric part of the Great Wall of China, a two hour drive out of Beijing.

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Mutianyu Great Wall & Ming tombs

For those looking for a more convenient or perhaps family-friendly way of experiencing the Great Wall, Mutianyu is a grea…

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Beijing & Great Wall
Accommodation

Regent Hotel

A renowned luxury 5 star hotel located in the heart of the city, offering a stylish haven in which to relax and unwind af…

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Red Wall Garden Hotel

Described as a "Cultural Oasis of tranquillity" in the heart of Beijing, the Red Wall Garden Hotel offers the perfect ble…

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Capital Hotel

This large 5 star hotel is centrally located, close to the major sights, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City a…

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Penta Hotel

This laid-back trendy hotel offers cool design but a welcoming embrace, none more so than in the busy Pentalounge, a neig…

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Tianan Rega Hotel

A classic 4 star hotel located in the heart of Beijing, offering good facilities and a convinient base for your time here…

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Complete the form below or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip.

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