Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: beijing past, present & the great wall tour at Tianjin

Discover the highlights of fascinating Beijing and the legendary Great Wall during this two-day Mid-Voyage Land Adventure. Journey to Beijing and explore the major attractions of China’s capital.

FULL DESCRIPTION

01MIDTSN-B: Beijing Past, Present & The Great Wall

Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night

Departs from: Tianjin, April 13, 2024 at approx. 8.30am

Re-join ship: Tianjin, April 14, 2024 at approx 6.00pm

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment.  Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Chinese visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Chinese Yuan. Yuan and US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

Discover the highlights of fascinating Beijing and legendary Great Wall. Beijing, also known as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 24 million as of 2023. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's largest state-owned companies. Few cities in the world have served as the political and cultural center of an area as immense. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It has been the heart of China’s history for centuries, and there is scarcely a building of any age in Beijing that does not have at least some national historical significance. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and universities have long made it a center of culture and art in China.

DAY ONE - Tianjin / Beijing

Disembark the ship at Tianjing International Cruise Port and board your coach for an approx 30 minute drive to Binhai Railway station (Carry on luggage is carried and kept on a separate truck). Experience a 65-minute ride on the high-speed train from the station near the port to Beijing City.

Upon arrival in Beijing transfer to a five-star hotel for a buffet lunch. Afterwards, begin your sightseeing program with Beijing’s national symbol, Tiananmen Square. Known as ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace’, the square is dominated by a gigantic portrait of Chairman Mao. Since imperial times, Tiananmen Square has always provided an impressive stage for declarations and key events in local history. In modern times, the solemn flag-raising ceremony has become a revered daily celebration. It was from the giant gate that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic on October 1, 1949.

Next, proceed by foot to legendary Forbidden City. Off-limits to the public for 600 years, the vast complex of this World Heritage Site was opened in 1925 as the Palace Museum. Within its walls lies a maze of palaces built between 1406 and 1420 as the residence of China’s emperors. With some 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms, maintenance and restoration are an on-going process. Although most of the buildings are closed for protection reasons and only can be visited from outside, the constructions in the Forbidden City are still breathtaking and stunning.

Exit the Forbidden City to reach for Jingshan Park located just a few meters away. Jingshan Park is the best spot in downtown Beijing to have a panoramic view of Beijing and the Forbidden City. You may choose to climb to the little hill for 15 minutes to enjoy the bird-eye view to the Foribidden City or stroll among the park and the souvenir shops.

Drive to the Four Seasons Hotel or similar for check-in. The hotel features luxury accommodations as well as fine dining venues. There is time to relax and freshen up before dine-around at one of the hotel’s 3 restaurants of your choice: Set menu dinner at Cai Yi Xuan (Chinese), Opus (Western), or Mio (Western).

Overnight accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel – Beijing and evening at leisure.

DAY TWO - Beijing / Tianjin

After breakfast at hotel, start your day by a scenic drive out of the city. You will climb one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” – The Great Wall of China. En route, pass the Olympic Park for a view of the ‘Bird’s Nest’ and ‘Water Cube’, the new ingenious landmark structures built for the 2008 Olympics.

With portions dating back nearly 2,000 years and an overall length of some 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres), this spectacular structure remains a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Chinese people, justly deserving to be named as one the New Seven Wonders of the World. The roundtrip cable car ride (weather permitting) provides a leisurely and less strenuous way to take in the stunning scenery and the beauty of the Great Wall of China.

Lastly, enjoy an authentic Chinese-style lunch near the Great Wall before re-boarding the coach for an approx 3.5 transfer back to Silver Shadow.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2.5 miles (about four kilometres), at time over uneven and cobblestone surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and board/de-board the coach, and 150 steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. The tour sequence and itinerary are subject to change. Carry on luggage is carried and kept on a separate truck.

Programme Includes:

- One-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel - Beijing, Premier City View Room

- One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner (drinks during meals included)

- High-speed train-ride

- Cable car-ride (wheather permitting)

- All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Chinese visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.