Beijing tours and excursions

The Tourist Information Centre and Cycle China office, opposite the east gate of Jingshan Park, Dongcheng District, arranges cycling tours with English-speaking guides as well as hutong walking tours at night and entertaining trips around the city by motorcycle sidecar.

China's premier attraction stretches some 6,700km (4,163 miles) through northern China and remains the most iconic symbol of the country. Founded in the 3rd century BC, the Great Wall of China is in fact a number of connected and unlinked walls, built at various points in history to create a defence against invading marauders. Much of the wall that exists near Beijing was built between the 14th and 18th centuries as a defence against the Mongols. The nearest section of the wall to Beijing is at Badaling, but this has been heavily restored and is very touristy. The sections at Mutianyu and Jinshanling are also restored but less busy than Badaling. For a more authentic visit, the sections of the wall at Huanghuacheng, Zhuangdaokou, Gubeikou and Jiankou have been left as atmospheric ruins, but they are harder to reach and difficulty to walk along. Arrange trips through your hotel, or one of the Beijing Tourist Information Centers.