I am interested to hear from anyone going on the China Explored tour beginning in Beijing on 22nd October, who is arriving early on the 22nd. What are you planning to visit / do for the day? Any previous travellers with suggestions?
Thanks.
China Explored 22/10/01
Re: China Explored 22/10/01
I highly recommend making a trip to the Summer Palace. Takes about 45 minutes by taxi in normal traffic to get there from the Huafeng Hotel (90 minutes in rush hour). Taxi fare will probably work out at around 60 yuan.
Admission to the Summer Palace cost 33 yuan last year. There's a lower admission price, which doesn't include entrance to the Temple of Heaven... but it's worth paying the extra for the view of the city you get from the top of the temple.
You get a couple of hours free to explore the Forbidden City on the third day of the tour, but if you think you'll need more time than this... (there's a hell of a lot to see there, so you might!)... that might be a good way to spend spare time before the tour starts.
Hope you have a great time... I had a superb time on that tour last year!