Destinations: Arrive in Beijing

Activities:

Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis getting ready to host the 2008 Olympics. Upon your arrival in Beijing, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. Service starts from your arrival at the airport. International/Domestic flight/train arrangement is on your own. The guide will give you some tips on local restaurants that we recommend and you can do some shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recover from jetlag or to explore by yourself.

Destinations: Beijing

Activities:

After breakfast head out for Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, which is closely linked to the Forbidden City, from which the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. Later you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors prayed for good harvests and rain, or gave thanks for the harvest. in the afternoon visit Summer Palace with boat ride: The palace is positioned in the west suburb of Beijing, about 12 kilometers northwest of the city center. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called'Yiheyuan'(Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. You may regret it if you come to Beijing without visiting this grand imperial garden. In the palace, you can also have a boat ride on the lake for about 10 minutes

Meals: lunch

Destinations: Beijing

Activities:

Detailed Itinerary: Leave town at 8am for the drive (a bit under two hours) to the Badaling Section of The Great Wall, which stretches for over 6000 km, and was originally built to protect China from the barbarians. You can walk and climb at your own pace, or enjoy spectacular views from the cable car. Before returning to the city you'll enjoy visiting the Changling (one of the Ming tombs), and the attractive tree-lined Sacred Road, bordered by stone statues, along which the Emperors once trod to conduct their sacred ceremonies. During the day a visit to Jade Caving Factory or Cloisonne (enamelware) workshop is included. Dinner tonight is at Quanjude Restaurant, where you'll taste some of the best 'Peking Duck' in Beijing.

Meals: lunch

Destinations: Beijing to Hohhot

Activities:

Our guide will pick you up at Hohhot airport or the railway station and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.

Destinations: Hohhot to Grassland

Activities:

Drive to the Grassland (Xilamuren or Huitengxile or Gegentala, depending on weather and road conditions). Visit the herdsmen's tent and enjoy the Mongolian Singing and Dances. We arrange you one hour horse riding and the rest of time is free for you to participate the various activities. In the evening you will enjoy a special Mongolian cuisine dinner with food and wine made of lamb&milk. Stay at the Monolian tent-style guesthouse.

Meals: lunch

Destinations: Grassland to Hohhot

Activities:

Tomb of Wang Zhaojun: The story of the concubine Wang Zhaojun, one of China's four historical beauties (along with Diao Chan, Xi Shi and Concubine Yang) is a Chinese morality tale of political alliance and sacrifice. The pyramid-shaped mound is 98 feet-high and is crowned by a pavilion on its summit. From the pavilion the views are nice: of the grasslands, farms and the small park that surrounds the foot of the tomb. Dazhao Lamasery: Situated in Dazhao-qian Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot, the Dazhao Lamasery was built by Alatan Khan--chief of Tumd Mongolian Tribe in the 7th year of Wanli Age of the Ming Dynasty. The Lamasery boasts a large collection of religious and cultural relics, among which the silver statue of Buddha, dragon sculpture and frescos are the most cherished treasures.

Meals: lunch

Destinations: Hohhot to Beijing

Activities:

Fly back to Beijing. Rest of time for you to explore a bit more about Beijing or just take a rest before going back home.

Destinations: Depart from Beijing

Activities: Free time on your own until transferred back to airport transfer and fly home. Service ends at your departure from Beijing airport. Your local guide will say goodbye to you after transferring you to the airport. International/Domestic flight/train arrangement is on your own.