I absolutely adore Chan Brothers. The past collaborations were to places with dipping temperatures. We braved the cold winds in Turkey in 2007 and went on a winter adventure to New Zealand last year. This December, we shall head to Beijing!
My eyes lit up when I was told of the destination. Oh man, I love the city- having been there three times in thirteen months. This trip has been given a Fundelicious theme. FOOD! Woohoo! And we’ll be staying at Marco Polo Parkside (or a 5-star equivalent) which means we don’t have to pack and unpack every other day.
DAY 1
奥运鸟巢/水立方
悄江南
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, tour the clusters of Olympic Buildings. Visit Beijing National Stadium, one of the main venues of Beijing Olympic Games 2008, also known as “Bird’s Nest” and take a photo in front of the façade of the National Aquatics Centre also known as “Water Cube”. Dinner will be at Qiao Jiang Nan, the restaurant which shot to regional fame when its owner Wang Xiaofei married Big S.
DAY 2
紫禁城故宫/天安门/三轮车游胡同
老北京炸酱面/全聚德烤鸭
After breakfast, visit the Forbidden City to feel the stately and luxurious Chinese palace. Once home to emperors, it is the largest and most complete palace existing in China and the largest in the world today, filled with magnificent buildings, pavilions and pagodas. The classical Oriental style of the Forbidden City is resplendent and an architectural wonder. Then pass through Tiananmen City Tower to arrive at the world-famous Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city square in the heart of Beijing. In its vicinity are sights like the Monument to the People Heroes, Tiananmen Gate, and the Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Mausoleum, the National History Museum and more. Continue to visit Tong Ren Tang which is a famous old pharmacy of Beijing with more than 300 years of history. In the afternoon, enjoy a tricycle sight-seeing tour of Beijing hutongs to view traditional alleys and courtyards at the old streets of Beijing. During the tour, you will step into centuries old traditional courtyards and learn more about the daily lives of Beijing people. Lastly, proceed to a silk shop.
DAY 3
颐和园/天坛/金面王朝
天津百饺园饺子宴/蕉叶泰餐
After breakfast, visit the Summer Palace, the top of the 4 most celebrated gardens in China, also known as Empress Dowager Cixi’s imperial garden. It is modelled after the blueprint of Hangzhou’s scenic West Lake. Then visit the Pearl Centre to learn about the effectiveness of pearl powder for beauty. Then proceed to the Temple of Heaven, the largest temple complex in China. This was where the Ming and Qing Emperors prayed to the heavens for peace, prosperity and good harvests for the country. The temple ground comprises 3 main groups of constructions, all built according to strict philosophical and astrology requirements. Later, head to Happy Valley to enjoy a spectacular large-scale musical, “The Golden Mask Dynasty” which is about a romantic legendary story of a country.
DAY 4
万里长城
万丰小吃城/圣诞晚宴/燃放烟花
In the morning, proceed to Juyong Pass, the first pass of the Great Wall of China which is the cradle of Chinese civilization and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thereafter, visit the Jade Museum to view some exquisite jade pieces. In the afternoon, visit Wanfeng Snacks City, the largest traditional snacks city and the only Old Beijing traditional snacks museum offering over 3,000 types of snacks. A person will spend 1 month to savour all the various types of snacks there. Later in the evening, celebrate Christmas in style with a lavish dinner and fireworks!
DAY 5
南山滑雪
都一处烧卖馆/便宜坊烤鸭
In the morning, proceed to visit De Sheng Men to learn about the use of Chinese lucky charm, Pixiu in the world of fengshui. Then coach to Nanshan Ski Village, the largest of its kind in North China with the most advanced facilities. This ski resort boasts of 11 trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers and activities like building of snowmen and snowboarding. Enjoy complimentary 2 hours of skiing with ski equipment included and enjoy a fun-filled time in the snow. Thereafter return to Beijing. If time permits, you may spend time at leisure shopping till dinner.
DAY 6
天津
天津狗不理包子宴/火盆锅豆腐宴
After breakfast, visit a tea plantation to learn more about Chinese tea culture and appreciation. Thereafter, coach to Tianjin. Upon arrival, visit the famous Cultural Street and Tianjin Food Street where a wide variety of Tianjin snacks are sold. You can savour popular Tianjin snacks like Shi Ba Jie Da Ma Hua, Er Duo Yan Fried Cakes and more at your own expense. Then for lunch, you will get to savour the renowned Tianjin Goubuli Buns. After which, proceed to Wangfujing Shopping Street to shop for the latest fashion and accessories.
DAY 7
承德
承德野味香/南门涮肉
After breakfast, proceed to Chengde. Explore Chengde Mountain Resort also known as “Imperial Mountain Resort”. It served as a cooler location for the Qing dynasty Emperors to escape from the often oppressive heat of Beijing during long hot summers. The Imperial Summer Resort can be divided into the palace zone and the scenic zone. Tour the grounds of the palace zone where the main palace was where the Qing dynasty Emperor handled the state affairs and it was also the residence for him and his Empress. The scenic zone comprises the plain, lake and mountain zones. Explore the plain and mountain area and board an eco-friendly electric buggy to Yan Sai River bank. Then, ascend Golden Mountain Pavilion to admire the bird’s eye view of the imperial mountain resort and ascend the Yanyu Tower located in the middle of the lake. It is the filming site for the movie “Princess Huanzhu”. Continue to Rehe, the shortest river in the world. After which, explore Ten Thousand Tree Garden, which has many ancient trees. Behold the beauty of the vast plain in the horizon which is dotted with white Mongolian yurts which look like stars in the sky. Thereafter, coach back to Beijing to visit Bao Shu Tang.
DAY 8
If time permits, you may do some last-minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home
Note:
Tour is conducted in Mandarin unless otherwise specified
All hotel ratings are based on local terms.
During major events, accommodation may not be in the city mentioned.
Final itinerary by local tour operator will be deemed accurate.
Tour groups may be merged and sequence of itinerary is subject to change without prior notice.
Any deviation or extension after the tour is subject to airline’s approval.
For passengers who join the land tour only (exclude international and domestic (if any) airfare), please be informed that you will be notified on the confirmation of the tour two (2) weeks before departure.
Call Chan Brothers at 6212 9686 to book now and enjoy a $200 discount for twin bookings. Beijing, here we come!