Once called "Peking," Beijing was for the Chinese the center of the universe. A walled city served as the ruler's private residence, flanked by expansive plazas where commoners came to pay homage to the high and mighty. To guard against invading hoards who might seek to overrun their sanctified realm, a series of frontier fences outside of the city were joined together and fortified into a massive, high protective barrier that stretches for thousands of miles. See the best of Beijing during this extension before the China Silk Road Gay Tour.

Read about our main trip - Marco Polo - China's Silk Road Gay Tour - May 5 - 16, 2016!

Optional post-tour extension to Shanghai - May 16 - 19, 2016!

Beijing Gay Tour Highlights

• Tiananmen Square
• The Forbidden City *
• Hutong Neighborhood
• The Temple of Heaven *
• The Great Wall *
• Beijing Architecture Orientation Tour
• Introductory Class in Chinese Calligraphy
• Beijing Kung Fu Show

* UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Beijing Gay Tour Itinerary

Day 0 - Sunday, May 1, 2016
Depart home bound for Beijing, China
Depart your home city bound for Beijing, China (airport code PEK). Your flight needs to arrive by tomorrow afternoon in order to participate in our Welcome Festivities. If that is not possible, you should plan to leave home a day earlier, on April 30th.

Day 1 - Monday, May 2, 2016
Arrive in Beijing
Please time your arrival at the Beijing International Airport for as early as possible this afternoon. After immigration, claim your luggage and clear customs. A representative will then escort you to our hotel in the city center. This evening enjoy a Peking Duck dinner served at Chef Dong's Roast Duck House - a Beijing tradition. After dinner, we return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Dinner
Hotel: New World Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*

Day 2 - Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City / Hutongs / Calligraphy / Kung Fu
Set off for a full day of sightseeing activities in Beijing. We visit Tiananmen Square, which is the largest public plaza on earth, and the massive Forbidden City dating back to the early 15th century. After lunch, visit an historic Hutong Neighborhood which reflect the traditions of "old Beijing." Take an Introductory Class in Chinese Calligraphy in a local resident's home. Return to the hotel in late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a spectacular Kung Fu show, witnessing first hand this amazing sport steeped in Chinese tradition.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: New World Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*

Day 3 - Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Temple of Heaven / Great Wall of China / Beijing Architecture
Today we visit the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. The most beautiful example of Ming architecture, the Temple of Heaven dates to the early 15th century. The largest man-made structure on earth, the Great Wall at Mutianyu (about 50 miles northeast of Beijing) is a less commercial, less crowded section, affording some of the most unspoiled, panoramic vistas of any Great Wall Site. After lunch, return to Beijing, seeing the city through the prism of many different neighborhoods and districts, including a visit to the world renowned Urban Planning Museum. We return to the hotel for a free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: New World Beijing Hotel, Beijing, 5*

Day 4 - Thursday, May 5, 2016
Flight to Xi'an / Main Tour Begins
We transfer to the Beijing International Airport this morning for our flight to Xi'an, where we begin the main tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Main tour - Marco Polo - China's Silk Road Gay Tour - May 5 - 16, 2016!

Optional post-tour extension to Shanghai - May 16 - 19, 2016!