BEIJING

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, was originally inhabited by cave dwellers over 500,000 years ago. Today it is a sprawling metropolis, fast developing into a modern city, with wide boulevards and high rise buildings. A city with a long and sometimes chequered history, it is home to many famous landmarks and is the ideal place to explore China's ancient history. At the geographical centre of Beijing is the Forbidden City, (World Heritage) so called because it was off limits to all but the Emperor and his retinue for over 500 years. Emperor Yongle began its construction in 1406 and for 500 years it was home to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, visitors can roam around the network of palaces, pavilions and courtyards. To the south of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square full of people wandering around its vast expanse. The square is Chairman Mao's creation and his portrait looks across the square to his Mausoleum at the other end.

The legendary Great Wall of China (World Heritage) stretches over 3,000 miles from the Yellow Sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west. The Great Wall dates back over 2,000 years to when China was unified by Emperor Qin Shihuang. He commissioned the linking up of previously individual walls of separate kingdoms to create this Wonder of the World. We offer a choice of optional tours depending on how adventurous you want to be. Our day trip takes you to the Badaling section, 1.5 hours drive out of Beijing. The views from the top are magnificent but even looking down to see the Wall winding its way as far as the eye can see, it is difficult to comprehend how gigantic this structure is.

Stop en route at the Ming Tombs and walk along the Sacred Way where stone carved animals and mystical creatures guard the entrance to the Tombs of 13 Ming Emperors. For those who want to explore further, our Great Wall Trekking is an opportunity to see beyond the usual tourist areas: first to Simatai, approx 3 hours from Beijing; and then to Jinshanling, where the wall is less developed. The walk between the two can be very steep in places but worthwhile for the unspoilt and remote views of this unique landmark. N.B. the temperature here can be considerably lower than in the city. Other sights to see include the Temple of Heaven Park (World Heritage). The most striking building here is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a beautiful cylindrical structure entirely made from wood. Twice a year the Emperor would be carried here to pray for good harvests. The Summer Palace (World Heritage) is set in a large park dominated by the man-made Kunming Lake. Take a stroll around the lake and see the Marble Boat sitting at its edge. The colourful Lama Temple has at its centre a 75-foot high Maitreya Buddha supposedly carved from a single piece of sandalwood.