Beijing China:  A Tour De Force Weekend

China remains an exotic blend of the old and the new.  Amazingly, to see Beijing is to witness its explosive growth and its tenacity in holding onto its quaint customs and traditions.  Beijing is the lady of the east, beguiling and intoxicating.  A Beijing weekend getaway is a thrilling journey into the past and racing into the future.

Eastern Attractions

A visit to Beijing unlocks the mysteries of the East and a weekend tour takes tourists to the great past of China.  If anything, one should not miss the Great Wall of China.  This crown jewel of tourist attractions is a stretch of stone and earthen fortifications built in the 5TH century BC and rebuilt later to expand to its present length of 8,851 miles.  This is a testament to the great engineering feat of the ancient Chinese.

You can't walk the entire length in a day so sign up for a Great Wall of China Tour and see the remains of the wall built by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.  The rest of the wall fortification were erected between the years 1368 to 1644, dung Ming Dynasty period. 

The tour covers the important parts of the Wall such as the North Pass and South Pass but the most striking area along the Ming Great Wall is where it ascends steep slopes on an 11 kilometer stretch.  The tour includes lunch and shopping at the famous Longdi Jade Factory.

Your next destination should be the Ming Tombs where 13 out of 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty are buried.  The excavated tomb of Ding Ling is open to the public and the display duplicates the original contents that deteriorated or were stolen by looters. 

After the day's excursion, take breather in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.  The Square houses the National Museum, Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, Monument to People's Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People.

The next day, take the 8 mile ride to the famous Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage lister.  The place is magical with breathtaking views, quaint pavilions and arches, long corridors, and the marble boat.  

Get a Guide

The only problem that you will encounter in a Beijing tour is the language barrier and if you want to see the city and its environs on your own, then you better get a guide who can speak English.  The guide will show you around and explain what the advertisements in Chinese letters are saying and how you should respond to local customs.     

But other than this, Beijing is as cosmopolite as they come.  The nightlife in the entertainment district is open until four a.m. and as a westerner in Beijing, you won't feel out of place.  This is where tourists go to sample the nightlife.

Accommodation

The city has several Beijing apartments for rent and you can  make your reservation online for a weekend getaway.  holiday apartments offer the best in modern amenities and great weekend packages.  Other accommodation options are hostels and hotels for couples, families and corporate groups.