Full Day Essential Beijing: Ancient Beijing and New Olympic Tour

 

See all the sights of Beijing with this fascinating tour of the oldest and newest attractions of the city. From the panda house at Beijing Zoo to the Yonghe Lama temple, from the tiny alleyways to slick modern stadiums, take it all in with the Beijing old and new tour. Your friendly English-speaking guide will explain all the customs and history of this interesting and ancient city, shedding light on Chinese culture and history over the year. Begin with a visit to Beijing Zoo to see some of China’s beloved giant pandas, peacefully munching bamboo in their spacious enclosures. Next, it’s on to the Yonghe Lama Temple, where incense swirls around the beautiful gold statues and intricate carvings. It's the largest Tibetan Buddhist style temple in the capital, built in 1694. Enjoy a delicious local lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine before you continue your adventure. After you've digested, dive into the hutongs, the tiny lanes and alleyways that typify historic Beijing. You’ll explore in an old-fashioned rickshaw decorated with traditional auspicious red and gold awnings and lucky ideograms, and learn more about the lives of ordinary people in China's capital. Swing by the modern and distinctive Bird’s Nest, the National Stadium built for the Olympics in 2008 perched on the water’s edge, and the Water Cube next door, which houses the National Aquatics Centre. These buildings are a symbol to many Chinese people of a cutting-edge, high-tech future. Before you return to your hotel there’s one more unmissable experience to enjoy: an authentic tea ceremony held in a traditional Chinese tea house. Languages: Shared tour: in English. Private tour: English, French, Italian and Spanish.