Locals on Tap in Cairns
Beijing, China
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Be introduced to the enduring icons and unexpected surprises of China's arts scene. This Beijing tour has a bit of everything from soviet-style monuments, to classic hutongs, contemporary art galleries, and triumphs of modern architecture.
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Highlights
- Marvel at the traditional architecture at the the famous Lama Temple
- See some of Beijing's newest architectural masterpieces
- Be amazed by iconic structures like the Bird's Nest and Water Cube lit up at night
- Experience the cutting edge of Beijing's contemporary and modern art scene
- Enjoy a traditional Chinese dinner and visit to a local community market
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Schedule details
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Meeting point:
Sunworld Hotel 天伦松鹤大酒店 灯市口大街88号
No. 88 Dengshikou Street, Dong Cheng, Beijing, 100006
+86 10-58168999
Directions:
Dengshikou Station, Metro Line 5, Exit A.
Turn left, then turn left at the Dengshikou Dajie, Sunworld is 250m down Dengshikou street on the left hand side of the road.
- Starting time: 2.00 PM
- Ending point:
Sunworld Hotel, No. 88 Dengshikou Street, Dong Cheng District.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, dinner, transportation, entrance to Lama Temple, entrance to UCCA Gallery, other entrance fees as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, souvenirs, tips / gratuities for driver or guide.
Both a modern metropolis and an ancient citadel, Beijing is a city of contrasts and home to some of China’s most fascinating art and architecture. Here, history is mapped out in the streets, from its bustling hutongs to imposing Soviet-style monuments. Discover some of the most impressive buildings in the city on this tour of Beijing architecture.
First stop on your Beijing tour is a visit to the Lama Temple, a magnificent structure with a fascinating 300 year old history. Also known as the Yonghe Temple or Yonghe Lamasery, its style is a combination of the Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.
From old to new - despite its traditional architecture, Beijing is also at the cutting edge of modern architecture, as demonstrated by some of the new developments that are constantly springing up around the city. The CCTV building is one such example, which we glimpse on our way out to the 798 Art Zone on the city's outskirts.
Located in a former factory precinct, the 798 Art Zone area is now home to hundreds of galleries and is the heart of China’s modern art scene. Wander through the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), one of the best Beijing art spots, and perhaps some of the many other galleries if time permits.
Next on our Beijing tour, we'll enjoy a traditional evening meal at a local Chinese restaurant. We're not likely to encounter any other tourists here! Tummies full and happy, after dinner we'll take a stroll through a local community market and see what the locals are up to.
As it starts to get dark, you'll notice that Beijing's skyline takes on a different perspective. As we head back into Beijing, we'll pass the site of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, which produced some of Beijing's most iconic new structures. View the spectacular Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube swimming complex, as well as the famous performing arts centre know as the 'Egg'. Seeing these icons lit up at night is a spectacular finale to our Beijing art and architecture tour experience.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, dinner, transportation, entrance to Lama Temple, entrance to UCCA Gallery, other entrance fees as indicated.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, souvenirs, tips / gratuities for driver or guide.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: Please contact Beijing Urban Adventures to confirm your trip 24 hours prior to departure.
Additional Information: Please note that during national holidays and weekday afternoons, traffic in Beijing can be extremely heavy so driving times may be longer than usual. On occasion some of Beijing's main roads may be closed for events, official visits or security reasons. In this case we may need to take a different route to our destinations and timings of activities may be different than described above.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively.
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Local contact
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