SNA Tours - Beijing

Love in the Sun

$999

8 Days / 6 Nights

BEIJING
Beijing Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace

Departure: 2012
03, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
07, 14, 21, 28 April 2012

Departure Cities:
Canada - Vancouver, *Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto
USA - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, *New York
(others cities add on also available)

Beijing Sun Village
(Home for the children of incarcerated parents)
Beijing Sun Village is situated in the Shunyi District in the northeast of downtown Beijing. It is about 35km away from Beijing. The village is now a home for over 100 children of incarcerated parents aged from 1 year to 18 years. The sun village was set up 1995 without any government aid. The head of the village, Mrs Zhang Shuqin is the founder of Sun Village. Now she is in her sixties. As a civil NGO, Sun Village Beijing aims to foster and educate the children with parents incarcerated, providing them basic living condition, educational support, psychological consultancy, right protection and vocational training etc.

Chuandixia Village (Ancient Village)
Chuandixia Village also known as Chuandixia, is a settlement dating from the Ming Dynasty located in Mentougou District in Beijing, China. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its well preserved courtyard h Chuandixia was founded during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) by members of the Han clan who moved from Shanxi Province. According to legend, a villager named Han Shoude, who bore a strong resemblance to the Kangxi Emperor, become a monk in service to the same emperor and built many of the grand courtyards of Chuandixia with imperial funding. Towards the end of the Qing Dynasty Chuandixia prospered from trading in coal, fur, and grain.
Chuandixia is known for its architecture and natural beauty. It is home to 500 well preserved courtyard homes dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many of these homes have been converted into inns offering food and lodging to travelers. Stone paved lanes and steep staircases help define Chuandixia's architectural identity. The village is a frequent subject of photographers and painters. The surrounding area is full of mountains and trails popular with hikers.

The Great Wall
Juyongguan or Juyong Pass is located in an 18 kilometer (11 mile)-long valley named "Guangou" which is inside Changping County more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Beijing City. It is one of the three greatest passes of the Great Wall of China. The other two passes are Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan.
It had many different names in the past dynasties. However, the name "Juyongguan" was used by more than three dynasties. It was first used in the Qin Dynasty when Emperor Qinshihuang ordered the building of the Great Wall. Juyongguan Pass has two passes, one at the south and one at the north. The south one is called "Nan Pass" and the north one is called "Badaling". This pass was connected to the Great Wall in the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

AB: American Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, SD: Specialty Dinner

Day 1-2
Beijing
Meals: In-Flight Meal
Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to the hotel in the evening. Observe and revel at the amazing city lights and make sure to be well rested for tomorrow, which is your official first day of exploring Beijing and all its beauty.

Day 3
Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, 2008 OlympicsGames Sites
Meals: Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

-	The world’s largest public square - Tiananmen Square and The forbidden city - is a vast complex of halls, temples and housing which make up the former residence of the ancient emperors
-	Beijing National Stadium, also familiar to the world as the Bird’s Nest and the home to the 2008 Olympics games sites. The stadium designed by an architecture firm in Switzerland implemented the world’s largest structure built of steel.
-	Tea Ceremony-to learning traditional Chinese tea culture
-	A delicious Peking Duck Dinner at one of the most prestigious restaurants.

Day 4
Excursion to the Great Wall of China, Jade Factory, Sun Village
Meal: Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

-	One of the wonders of the world-the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall extends across mountains and valleys for more than 3,000 miles perhaps only a tenth of its former length.
-	Visit Jade factory to learn more about Chinese jade and traditional culture
-	Mutianyu Great Wall-The Mutianyu Great Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of the year. The great wall winds its way over 1000 meters to the crest of a mountain before turning sharply and dipping downhill, forming a triangle known as the Ox-Horn Wall, Two unique features of this section are the double battlements and branch walls found throughout the area. Cable car is optional.
-	Sun village and interact with the kids

Day 5
Taiji Lesson, Temple of Heaven, Rickshaw Tour of Hutong
Meal: Hotel Breakfast, Lunch

-	Morning exercise – Taiji lesson at the Temple of Heaven
-	Temple of Heaven- the Chinese Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Capture the detailed essence of all the rich colors blended together on the hand painted tiles and roofing of the structure.
-	Free Leisure in the afternoo
-	Huntong-the Historic Hutong by rickshaw. The amazing gray brick courtyard residence is Beijing’s oldest and remains infused with timeless culture and history.
-	Local Hutong family house warming- visiting the local family for house warming and enjoy the meal at the local family.
-	Optional Evening Entertainment： Kung-fu Show

Day 6
Silk factory, Beijing Chuandixia Ancient Village
Meal: Hotel Breakfast, Lunch

Silk factory and learn more about Chinese silk history -Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China, with some of the earliest examples found as early as 3500BC.

Chuandixia Village- The village is located in the west area of Mengtougou District. It is well known for its well preserved over 600 Ming and Qing dynasty-style houses housed by 70 families. These houses are constructed on the side of a hill, surrounded by mountains and forests. To see these old houses, you have to climb the steep stairs and lanes paved with rocks which are simple and unadorned. The village is listed as a village under national level cultural relic’s protection

Day 7
Free day to explore the city, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Knock off market
Meal: Hotel Breakfast

-	Explore the city on your own or you may enjoy shopping at flea market. The full day or half day activities and suggestion will be provided by your tour guide on the tour.

Day 8
Farewell to China or stay behind other cities in China
Meal: Hotel Breakfast
We hope you enjoyed your time in China and will be leaving this country with endless amounts of stories memories and captivating pictures of the entire journey. You will be transferred to the Beijing Capital airport via your schedule flight back home or continues your journey to visit other cities in China.

Special Attractions:

	Great Wall of China • Travel to view one of the wonders of the world. Its construction began in the 5th century B.C. as a defense against of the Mongols.
	The Forbidden City • Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household.
	Olympic Games Sites • The National Stadium, know as the ``Bird`s Nest``, which serve as the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
	Chuandixia Village (Ancient Village)Chuandixia is known for its architecture and natural beauty. It is home to 500 well preserved courtyard homes. Many of these homes have been converted into inns offering food and lodging to travelers. Stone paved lanes and steep staircases help define Chuandixia's architectural identity. The village is a frequent subject of photographers and painters.