How long should I stay for a basic private Beijing tour package?
In addition to the arrival day and departure day, two or three full days are necessary for first-time travelers to arrange a Beijing local tour. Here is the most popular way of exploring the city. Have one full day to visit the Great Wall and the traditional Hutong alleys. Another full day is for city highlights sightseeing including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. If you have ample time, you can schedule one more day to visit the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Panda House and other sites.
I have heard the Great Wall has several sections, which one do you recommend?
There are 8 sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, among which Badaling and Mutianyu are the two best preserved and most visited. Badaling is the first section that opened to the public and the most famous one, thus it is always packed with visitors and domestic tour groups, especially on holidays. Mutianyu is equally splendid in sceneries, but less crowded. It is more favored by foreign travelers and more child-friendly with cable car and slide way equipped.
Besides the above two restored sections, Jinshanling is also popular for its primitive features. Travelers who like challenges may choose to take the most popular Great Wall hiking route from Jinshanling to Simatai. Simatai is the only section opened for a night tour and the Gubei Water Town at the foot of the wall deserves a visit as well.
Are sightseeing spots in the city physically demanding? Will there be too much walking involved?
Yes. Most of sightseeing spots such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace are very large, and demand a fair amount of walking. However, you can ask your private guide to slow down the travel pace. Although there are many stairs on the Great Wall, you can take the cable car should you prefer. A pair of comfortable shoes is always highly recommended when traveling.
When is the best time to visit the Great Wall?
The amazing scenery of the Great Wall changes throughout the seasons. From March to early April, the wall is dotted with apricot flowers and peach blossom along the mountain range. You can view the luxurious green plants surrounding the wall when climbing it between May and September. Then from mid October to early November, it is beautifully decorated by red leaves. Although the weather is cold and challenging from late November to February, visitors get to see the snow-covered Great Wall set in a tranquil landscape.
In comparison, it is more enjoyable to visit the Great Wall in April, May, September and October when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
Is it possible to visit two parts of the Great Wall within one day?
Yes, we can arrange for clients to visit two different sections of the Great Wall within one day. Both Badaling and Mutianyu are very popular, so these two are the most exhilarating combination for a full day private Great Wall excursion. Alternatively, visitors may choose to visit Juyuongguan Great Wall together with Mutianyu or Badaling.
How and where do I apply for a 144 hours visa-free transit permit in Beijing?
First of all, you need to make sure that you are qualified to take advantage of the 144 hours visa-free transit policy. You can click China 144-hour visa free trainsit to read the relevant details.
To apply for the free visa, you need to present your valid passport, visa for a third country or region if required, a full completed Arrival and Departure Card and an onward ticket with confirmed seat.
With all the necessary documents, you can apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit permit on arriving at the Capital International Airport or Beijing West Railway Station. There is a special counter/lane for the 144-hour free transit at the immigration, so passengers can go there directly by following the signs.
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Do we need to wait in line to buy the admission tickets at tourist attractions?
No. Your guide will handle all the admission tickets for you. She/ He will buy tickets in the group ticket window very quickly. Some of the very popular sightseeing spots have online ticketing system, and we will reserve the tickets for you in advance.
If I want to visit somewhere else for one or two days during China Tours from Beijing, what's your recommendation?
Many travelers have the Terracotta Warriors on their holiday bucket lists, so one or two days trip to Xian is recommended. It is very easy to make it as flights and high-speed trains between the two cities operate frequently every day. Besides, you may also consider visiting Shanghai by flight or Datong by high-speed train in one or two days.
We are a family of two adults and two children under 10 years old. Can we be accommodated in one hotel room?
Yes. Two adults and two little children can be accommodated in one room, but it is not recommended for a comfortable stay. Most of hotels have a king size bed with 1.8 meters wide in a double room and two single beds each with 1.2 meters wide in a twin room. One of your children could take an additional 0.9 meter wide bed. The other one needs to share a bed with parent. The bed size may vary a little in different hotels. Boutique hotels with local features are also good choices to enrich your travel.
