City Escape in Beijing and Hong Kong

Day 1: Departure
Depart from the UK on your overnight flight to Beijing.

Day 2:  Beijing
Begin the Beijing to Hong Kong visit with an arrival into Beijing’s international airport. A guide will be there to welcome you and provide private transport to the hotel.

Depending on arrival time there may be just enough time to pay a visit to the Temple of Heaven. A landmark known for its architectural simplicity and its symbolism reflecting early Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. It was here that emperors would forge the link between the round sky and the square earth through sacrificial rituals based on the founding principles of this ancient civilization.

After this intriguing visit transport will be provided back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Regent Hotel

Day 3:  Beijing
The better part of the morning and midday will be spent exploring the Forbidden City and nearby Tiananmen Square, the third largest city square in the world. The construction of the Forbidden City was finished in 1420 during the reign of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Yongle, and served as the Imperial administrative center throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties until the fall of the Empire in 1911. Restored for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Forbidden City has regained the youthful and vivid colors of its former glory. Plenty of time is set aside to explore this unforgettable destination, so be sure not to miss the surrounding courtyards and rooms. Climbing the artificial coal hill just behind the Forbidden City also provides a spectacular view of the entire site and offers a good grasp of the layout of the whole of Beijing.

After exploring the Forbidden City, the rest of the day will be dedicated to walks around Beihai Lake and the more lively Houhai Lake, encircled by hutongs. Hutongs are the famous Beijing alleyways, home to traditional courtyard style homes, many of which have now been converted into pedestrianized streets boasting charming little restaurants and bars. Continue the walk onwards to the Drum Tower. Enjoy a demonstration of how the passing of each hour was marked with a drum roll during the Ming Dynasty. From the complex’s top, there are also excellent views of the surrounding hutong rooftops and the Clock Tower just opposite.

Optional experience:
End the day with a rooftop terrace dinner overlooking traditional Chinese courtyardstyle housing, also known as Siheyuan.
Note: This experience will incur extra charges

Accommodation: Regent Hotel [Breakfast]

Day 4:  Beijing
Though not visible from space (contrary to popular belief), the Great Wall is one of the most famous symbols of China. Over 6,000 kilometers long, this grand structure stretches from ancient Manchuria in the east to the edge of the Gobi desert in the west. The trip will begin with an early morning departure from the hotel, offering spectacular photo opportunities of the Wall in the morning light. For those who’ve been exhausted from the walk up the wall, there is an option to either cable car back down or take a toboggan ride to the bottom (a child’s favorite option!) There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch on the Great Wall whilst admiring the stunning, rugged scenery all around.

Once back in Beijing, pay a visit to the Summer Palace. At one time a simple imperial garden, the site was totally redesigned by Emperor Qianlong in the 18th Century, becoming one of the capital’s major sites. The Imperial Court used to relocate to the Summer Palace during the summer months to escape the stifling heat of the Forbidden City. A mix of temples pavilions, lakes, pagodas and gardens make up this harmonious representation of Chinese culture and architecture. The Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, Seventeen Arch Bridge, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill are the key landscape features of the Summer Palace gardens.

After the visit to the Summer Palace, there will be transport provided back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Regent Hotel [Half board]

Day 5: Beijing - Hong Kong
Begin the morning with a visit to the capital’s art scene: Dashanzi’s 798 art district. 798 is made up of a number of abandoned factories, which were renovated in the 90s by Chinese artists in a style similar to that seen in Berlin. ‘798’ as it is known locally, has become the mouthpiece for Beijing’s most popular contemporary artists and is probably the most vibrant art district in the whole of Asia. The famous Ai Weiwei had his first exhibitions at 798 and a number of other artists have followed in his footsteps. At the time of its opening 798 was noticeably influenced by the Maoist era whilst these days the collection has become much more eclectic.

‘Dashanzi’ as it is known, is becoming ever more popular. Cafés, restaurants and specialist boutiques selling clothes by exciting young designers, homeward pieces and pottery have grown in number over the past few years. Spend the morning wandering 798’s narrow alleyways, browsing the shops and stopping to enjoy a coffee.

From the arts district, a transfer will be provided to the airport (not a far drive) for the flight from Beijing to Hong Kong.

A guide will be waiting upon arrival for a transfer to the hotel. Exploring Hong Kong is a truly unforgettable adventure. Bustling city life, incredibly efficient transport, great entertainment, and some of the best restaurants in the world. Relax for the evening and prepare for the following days exploring the big city.

Accommodation: Peninsula Hong Kong [Breakfast]

Day 6:  Hong Kong
While Hong Kong is known for being a city of markets, trade, exchanges and negotiations it also has a more traditional side that many Western travelers don’t expect. This whole day trip will explore the city on foot and by public transport, offering a real local life experience! The Hong Kong walking tour will start with a visit to the Bird and Flower markets. Enjoy the colorful surroundings, selling everything from beautiful songbirds to Dutch tulips and exotic orchids. The market strolls are a sensory wonder.

Continue on to the Goldfish Market, located in Tung Choi Street. Famous for its exotic fish, the market also sells dogs, lizards, spiders, and even snakes... a real zoological bazaar!

The next stop will be Langham Place Mongkok, an impressively designed shopping center with giant metal spiral sculptures; a stark contrast to the city’s other markets.

Continue with a ride on the Star Ferry, an important part of the commuter system between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. One of the most memorable water crossings in the world, this is an ideal place to capture one of the world’s most beautiful skylines. Reaching Hong Kong’s North Point, follow the wet markets of Chun Yeung Street ultimately hitting the final destination of Ko Shing Street. Take in the street’s seemingly endless number of Chinese traditional medicine pharmacies, reminding visitors how much this traditional practice still coexists with modern Western medicine.

Optional experience:
Enjoy dinner along the authentic Temple street night market, offering a wide variety of seafood and local specialties in a lively atmosphere.
Note: This experience will incur extra charges

Accommodation: Peninsula Hong Kong [Breakfast]

Day 7:  Hong Kong
Departure with the guide by public transport from Lantau Island. The ride provides a 360 degree views of the South China Sea, Tung Chung, and the steep hills of Lantau national park.

Optional experience:
Spice up the experience by electing to take the “crystal cabin”. Its seethrough bottom gives a complete view of the surroundings! For those interested, it is also possible to reserve a private cabin. Arrival is in the village of Ngong Ping from where you can ascend the 238 steps to the impressive 34m tall Bronze Tian Tan Buddha Statue.
Note: This experience will incur extra charges

Pay a visit to the 100 year old Po Lin Monastery, one of the major Buddhist sanctuaries of Hong Kong, which for a long time was very difficult to access. Continue down the “Wisdom Path”, a nature trail (taking 15 minutes) that will leads to a cluster of 28 wooden headstones each measuring between eight and ten meters. On the headstones are “prayers” common to Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, all presented in works of calligraphy by the master Jao Tsung-I, and arranged in a “infinity” shape, symbolizing endlessness.

Continue from Ngong Ping to Tai’O, a region founded by the Tanka fishermen. The Tanka live above a mud flat in traditional stilt houses constructed many generations ago. Take a walk here, sampling some of the region’s best Street Food including local specialties such as dried fish, shrimp, shrimp pâté, and rice cakes.

Visit Kwan Tai temple, also called Kwan Yu. Constructed in the 15th century, it is the oldest temple on Lantau and is dedicated to the War God of the same name. Top off the perience with a meeting with a local artist, either a Chinese landscape gardener, calligrapher, or contemporary artist, depending on their availability.

Depart by public bus to Cheung Sha, one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong. This 3km stretch is famous for having a range of restaurants such as the famous “Stoep”.

Return to the hotel by public transport with the assistance of the guide.

Accommodation: Peninsula Hong Kong [Breakfast]

Day 8:  Departure
Enjoy the morning at leisure until departure time form the hotel. Transportation will be provided to Hong Kong International Airport.

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Tour Excludes
Visas for China, other meals were not mentioned in the programme, drinks, overweight luggage, personal expenses, travel insurance, tips & gratuities

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These itineraries are samples itineraries for previous clients. Speak to one of our travel experts at 020 7843 3531 or email at info@clevelandcollection.co.uk to create your perfect holiday based on your travel requirements.

* This is a guide price, based on travel in low season