Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest

Exploring Beijing’s iconic landmarks as part of a small group tour can be an immersive and personalized experience. Visitors will hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, admire the grandeur of the Summer Palace, and capture stunning photos of the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium. With an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transportation, and a Chinese-style lunch included, travelers can enjoy a comfortable journey while learning about the history and cultural significance of these remarkable sites. The small group size of up to 9 people ensures a more intimate and tailored experience. However, there are a few important details to consider before embarking on this adventure.

Key Points

• This small group tour visits the Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, and Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing.
• The tour includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transportation, Chinese-style lunch, and bottled water.
• Hikers can explore the well-preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for around 2 hours.
• The Summer Palace offers tranquil lakeside paths, intricate architectural features, and culture.
• The tour allows for stunning photos of the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium from the outside.

Tour Overview

This small group tour offers visitors a chance to explore some of Beijing’s top attractions, including the Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, and the iconic Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium.

The tour is capped at nine travelers, ensuring a personalized experience. To avoid crowds, the group will visit the Great Wall early in the day.

The tour includes an English-speaking licensed guide, air-conditioned transportation, and a Chinese-style lunch.

Guests will have the opportunity to hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, explore the well-preserved Summer Palace, and drive by the Bird’s Nest.

While cable car tickets are an optional add-on, the tour provides a comprehensive and efficient way to see the city’s highlights.

Mutianyu Great Wall Hike

Visitors explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and most scenic parts of this iconic structure. The hike along the wall typically lasts around 2 hours, allowing ample time to take in the breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding landscape.

This well-restored section features several watchtowers, providing opportunities to climb up and enjoy panoramic vistas. The hike can be tailored to individual fitness levels, with options to:

1. Take the cable car up and hike down
2. Hike both up and down
3. Take the toboggan ride down for an exhilarating descent

With an early morning start, travelers can beat the crowds and have a more serene, personalized experience on this iconic section of the Great Wall.

Exploring Summer Palace

After exploring the iconic Mutianyu Great Wall, the tour then ventures to the Summer Palace, one of the most well-preserved royal gardens in China. This expansive site was once a summer retreat for the Qing dynasty emperors, offering a serene escape from the bustling city. Visitors can stroll along the tranquil lakeside paths, admire the intricate architecture, and marvel at the impressive Marble Boat and Long Corridor. To truly appreciate the grandeur of the Summer Palace, the tour includes a visit to the ornate Imperial Palace and the stunning vantage point of the Seventeen Arch Bridge. With its rich history and picturesque landscapes, the Summer Palace promises an immersive cultural experience.

Feature	Description
Lake	Tranquil waters surrounded by lush greenery
Marble Boat	Ornate floating structure on the lake
Long Corridor	Elaborate covered walkway with intricate designs
Imperial Palace	Opulent residential compound of the Qing emperors
Seventeen Arch Bridge	Scenic bridge offering panoramic views of the palace grounds

Admiring Bird’s Nest

The tour then drives by the iconic Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium, an architectural marvel that showcases Beijing’s hosting of the 2008 Summer Games.

Visitors can admire the stadium’s distinctive latticed steel outer shell, which gives the venue its renowned ‘bird’s nest’ appearance.

This impressive structure, along with the nearby Water Cube aquatic center, stands as a testament to China’s ambitious undertaking and successful execution of the Olympic Games.

The group is able to:

1. Capture stunning photos of the Bird’s Nest from the outside.
2. Learn about the stadium’s impressive engineering and design details.
3. Appreciate the legacy and impact of the 2008 Olympics on Beijing’s cityscape.

Included Amenities

This small group tour includes an English-speaking licensed tour guide to lead the experience, as well as an air-conditioned vehicle for transportation.

A Chinese buffet or family-style lunch is provided, along with bottled water to keep guests hydrated throughout the day.

Pickup and drop-off services within the Beijing city center are also covered.

While cable car or gondola tickets to the Great Wall aren’t included, they can be added as an optional extra.

Gratuities and any beverages beyond the provided water are also not part of the tour package.

Exclusions and Upgrades

While the tour includes a range of amenities, there are a few exclusions travelers should be aware of. Gratuities and any additional beverages beyond the provided bottled water aren’t covered in the tour price. Plus, tickets for the Imperial Ferry Boat at the Summer Palace aren’t included, though visitors can purchase them separately if desired.

The tour also offers some optional upgrades for those interested:

1. Cable car or gondola tickets to access the Mutianyu Great Wall can be added for a more scenic experience.

2. Visitors can choose to explore the Summer Palace at their own pace by opting for the audio guide.

3. For a more personalized touch, private transfers to and from the hotel can be arranged.

Physical Fitness Requirements

Visitors should possess a minimum level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the activities on this small group tour. The hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall requires some physical exertion, as you’ll be walking uphill for about 2 hours. While the pace is leisurely, guests should be able to comfortably navigate uneven terrain and stairs.

The tour also includes visiting the expansive Summer Palace, which involves a fair amount of walking. Plus, getting on and off the tour vehicle multiple times throughout the day may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Cancellation Policy

Guests can receive a full refund if they cancel their tour at least 24 hours in advance. The cancellation policy ensures flexibility for travelers in case their plans change unexpectedly.

This policy also benefits the tour operator, as it allows them to efficiently manage their tour schedule and accommodate any last-minute changes.

The cancellation policy for this small group tour includes the following:

1. Full refund if canceled 24 hours or more before the scheduled departure time.
2. No refunds for cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the tour.
3. Guests are responsible for any non-refundable costs, such as airline tickets or hotel reservations, that may be affected by the cancellation.

Recap

This small group tour offers a comprehensive and immersive experience exploring Beijing’s iconic landmarks.

Travelers can hike the well-preserved Mutianyu Great Wall, admire the grandeur of the Summer Palace, and capture stunning photos of the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium, all while enjoying the personalized attention of an English-speaking guide and comfortable transportation.

With a maximum group size of 9, it’s an excellent opportunity to discover the rich history and cultural significance of these remarkable sites.